The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Saturday, February 12, 2022, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland in the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man That Got Away” on October 28, 1959, for the album Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1961. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

And I hope you enjoy this scene from A Star Is Born.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Friday, January 7, 2022, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 for the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm first recorded by Glenn Miller. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

In August 1962, Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Quartet were invited to perform for White House interns by President John Kennedy. After each artist played their separate set, Bennett and Dave Brubeck Quartet (minus Paul Desmond), returned to the stage for an improv session, including this wonderful version of “That Old Black Magic.” The concert was taped, but the tape was lost for many years in the Columbia/Sony vaults. The tape was located (misfiled in the classical music section) and released as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 in 2013.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues

The song of the day for Thursday, December 9, 2021, is “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler wrote “I Got A Right To Sing The Blues” for the 1932 Broadway show, Earl Carroll’s Vanities. It has been a blues and jazz standard ever since. Notable recordings include those by Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bonnie Raitt recorded “I Got A Right To Sing The Blues” in 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement.

“I Got A Right To Sing The Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Thursday, November 18, 2021, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About Today

Today we are remembering the great Johnny Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to today’s song, who was born in Savannah, Georgia on November 18, 1909. You can read more about Mercer and his accomplishments at the website for The Johnny Mercer Foundation which supports songwriting and songwriters as well as several educational initiatives.

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 for the movie Star Spangled Rhythm and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Trio recorded “That Old Black Magic” in an improv session after each artist had completed their performances at this concert. In addition to Brubeck on piano, the trio featured Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums. The concert was taped and released as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 in 2013.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 10, 2021, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, a tribute to Frank Sinatra. The album won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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