The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Yesterday I Heard The Rain

The song of the day for Friday, October 7, 2022, is “Yesterday I Heard The Rain.”

About This Song

“Yesterday I Heard The Rain,” or “Esta Tarde Vi Llover” in the original Spanish, was written in 1968 by Armando Manzanero. Gene Lees wrote the English lyrics. Born in 1935, Manzanero studied music in Mexico City and composed his first song at the age of fifteen. At the age of sixteen, he became a professional pianist. His songs, like “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” are beautiful and romantic songs. He is considered to be one of the most successful composers from Latin America.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” on February 26, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Yesterday I Heard The Rain,” as well as the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Sunday, September 25, 2022, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written by Lalo Schifrin and Gene Lees. According to the website Film Score Monthly, this song has an interesting history. It was first recorded, without lyrics, in 1963 on an album called Reflections by Stan Getz and Lalo Schifrin. From the beginning, Tony Bennett liked the song and suggested that Gene Lees write the lyrics. The resulting song is an anthem for “forbidden” love. At that time, most people associated the song with interracial relationships; in later years, it has been sung by gay singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and k.d. lang.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Right to Love” on February 18, 1965, for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“The Right To Love” is the most searched-for song on this site.

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set is available on Apple Musi

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Sunday, August 28, 2022, is Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” on December 19, 1962, and released it in 1962 on the album I Wanna Be Around. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 4, 2022, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” (“Corcovado” in the original Portuguese) written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1960 is one of the great early bossa nova songs. The English lyrics were written by Gene Lees. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Waltz for Debby

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 5, 2021, is “Waltz for Debby.”

About This Song

Bill Evans composed this song in 1956, soon after leaving the armed services. He wrote it for his young niece, Debby, the daughter of his brother Harold. With the lyrics by Gene Lees, “Waltz For Debby” became a standard for jazz and popular singers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Waltz for Debby” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

Waltz For Debby

Listen to Waltz For Debby on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1975.

“Waltz for Debby,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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