The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Friday, January 17, 2025, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written in 1932 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 June 1992 for his album of Frank Sinatra songs, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Sharon, on piano, led the Ralph Sharon Trui, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance/

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

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Thursday, December 26, 2024, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a gorgeous and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, 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 27, 2024, 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. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considered it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” live at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. The recording was not included in the original LP release of Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, but was released on the 1997 CD release, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Saturday, November 9, 2024, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Good Does It Do” live on June 9, 1962, at his concert at Carnegie Hall. An abbreviated recording on two LPs was released in August 1962 on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall; a more complete version was released on 4 CDs was released in 1997.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Like Goodbyes

The song of the day for Friday, November 1, 2024, is “Don’t Like Goodbyes.”

About This Song

“Don’t Like Goodbyes” was written by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Arlen and Truman Capote, for the 1954 Broadway musical House of Flowers, based on Capote’s novella of the same name. The song was introduced by Pearl Bailey. While the musical was not well-reviewed, the Arlen-Capote score is quite wonderful, including not only today’s song but the exquisite “A Sleepin’ Bee,” which Tony Bennett has recorded twice (in 1959 for Tony Sings For Two and at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert). “Don’t Like Goodbyes” has been recorded by Pearl Bailey, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Like Goodbyes” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

The Art of Romance won the Grammy Awawrd for Best Traditional Pop Album..

“Don’t Like Goodbyes,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.