The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: When Lights Are Low

The song of the day for Sunday, April 20, 2025, is “When Lights Are Low.”

About This Song

“When Lights Are Low” was written in 1936 by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams, while both were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger for the BBC during that time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Lights Are Low” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low, which was released 61 years ago today on April 20, 1964. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led the trio that accompanied Bennett for this album: Sharon (piano), Hal Gaylord (bass), and Billy Exiner (drums).

“When Lights Are Low,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Sunday, March 2, 2025, is “Speak Low.”

About Today

We are remembering the composer of today’s song, Kurt Weill. Weill was born in Germany on March 2, 1950. While living in Germany, he worked with Bertold Brecht on The Threepenny Opera, including its famous song, “Mack The Knife.” Weill, who was Jewish, fled Germany in 1933. With his wife, Lotte Lenya, he moved to New York in 1935 and continued writing for films and the stage. His American works include One Touch Of Venus, Lost in the Stars, and Knickerbocker Holiday. Weill died in 1950 from a heart attack.

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and poet Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Speak Low” on March 28, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums, accompanied Bennett on this album.

“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, February 20, 2025, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke in 1939. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” on February 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. In addition to Sharon on piano, were Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When Lights Are Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, is “When Lights Are Low.”

About This Song

“When Lights Are Low” was written by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams in 1936, when Carter and Willaims were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger for the BBC during that time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Lights Are Low” on March 26, 1964, for the album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led the trio with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“When Lights Are Low,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 3, 2024, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green for the 1960 musical Do Re Mi, which concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the jukebox business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Someone Happy” live at The Washington Monument on August 28, 1962, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums). Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Quartet were invited by President John F. Kennedy to play at the White House, but there was so much interest in the concert that it was moved to the Washington Monument. concert was taped, but the masters were lost in the Columbia vaults (misfiled in the Classical section) and were only located in 2012. Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 was released in 2013.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.