The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Makin’ Whoopee

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 3, 2015 is “Makin’ Whoopee.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Makin’ Whoopee,” was written in 1928 by Walter Donaldson (music) and Gus Kahn (lyrics). It was written for the 1928 musical Whoopee!, which starred Eddie Cantor and who introduced the song. It does, of course, refer to sexual intimacy and lists all the things that follow from that (wedding, honeymoon, babies, etc.). It has been widely recorded over the years.

About This Version

Today’s version is a duet with Cyndi Lauper, recorded in 2003 for her album Cyndi Lauper: At Last. The recording features Lee Musiker (piano), Gray Sargent (guitar), Paul Langosch (bass) and Clayton Cameron (drums).

Makin" Whoopee (with Tony Bennett)

Listen to Makin" Whoopee (with Tony Bennett) on Spotify. Song · Cyndi Lauper, Tony Bennett · 2012


“Making’ Whoopee,” as well as all of songs collected on Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Dream a Little of Me

The song of the day for Monday, November 2, 2015 is “Dream a Little of Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” was written in 1931, with music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra, The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little of Me” in March 2002 for their album Tony Bennett and k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. The album was arranged by Lee Musiker, who also led the quartet with Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

This album was the first Tony Bennett I ever bought (yes, I know I was late to the party), mainly because I was a big k.d. lang fan. I fell in love with Tony Bennett about half-way through the first song. This is a lovely album, devoted to songs sung by the great Louis Armstrong, who first recorded this song in 1950.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Listen to Dream a Little Dream of Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“Dream a Little of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Thursday, February 12, 2015 is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

It-Had-To-Be-You-1

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924, with music by Isham Jones and lyrics by Gus Kahn. This song is a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several fims, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song several times, including his second album, Tony in 1956, his 1994 MTV Unplugged Concert and the 2011 duet with Carrie Underwood for Duets II.

Today’s version is from one of my favorite albums: When Lights Are Low, released in 1964. This album features great standards, good jazz, and Tony singing with the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. It’s a terrific album and this is one of my favorite songs, since childhood, and this recording is really lovely.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Baby Just Cares For Me

The song of the day for Monday, January 5, 2015 is “My Baby Just Cares For Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written by Walter Donaldson (music) and Gus Kahn (lyrics) in 1930 for the film version of Whoopee! starring Eddie Cantor. Though recorded by many artists, the song is widely associated with Nina Simone, who recorded it for her 1958 debt album Little Girl Blue.

About This Version

“My Baby Just Cares For Me” is the second song from our album of the month, Cloud 7. Coming after the medium-to-slow tempo of I Fall In Love Too Easily, this song is upbeat with an easy swing tempo. The lyrics have also been updated from 1930, with references to current film stars: Marlon Brando, Rock Hudson, Jeff Chandler and Tyrone Power. Chuck Wayne’s guitar answers Bennett’s phrases quite nicely throughout. The song is fun; Bennett and the band seem to be having a great time. Just listen to the last line of the song — “At least that what she’s tells me anyway.”

My Baby Just Cares For Me

Listen to My Baby Just Cares For Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1955


“My Baby Just Cares For Me,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 16, 2014 is “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1932 by Harry Woods and Gus Kahn. This charming song was first recorded by Ruth Etting in 1932. Other significant recordings include those by Al Bowlly with the Ray Noble Orchestra, The Lennon Sisters and Nat “King” Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. He is backed by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. Danny Bennett produced the album, which was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli. The cover photograph on the album is the young Tony Bennett, wearing his good suit and standing in front of his home. The back cover of the album features Bennett in real time, in the same spot, wearing a good suit. If you’d like to see both photographs and other liner notes for this album, click here to view the album topic at our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

Listen to A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.