The song of the day for Friday, December 12, 2014 is “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon).”

About This Song

Bruce Bowman wrote “East of the Sun” in 1934 while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, Bowman worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry, but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s song in 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

About Today

Today would have been Frank Sinatra’s 99th birthday. Next year, of course, will mark the centennial of Sinatra’s birth and I’m sure there will be many celebrations of his life and career. Happy birthday, Frank.

“East of the Sun,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.