The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 13, 2022, is “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road).”

About This Song

“One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Harold Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms” as at 48 bars, it was longer than the standard 32-bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says

The honors must go the lyric. … Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with ‘It’s a quarter to three’!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“One for My Baby (And One More for the Road),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s legendary 1958 recording of “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” with the great Nelson Riddle arrangement from Frank Sinatra Sings for Only The Lonely:

We’ve also got Fred Astaire performing “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” from the 1943 movie The Sky’s the Limit:

And if you’re still with us, Sinatra sang today’s song on an unknown live television program:

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

The song of the day for Monday, December 12, 2022, 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 June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“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 Tuesday, December 6, 2022, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1936. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be 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.”

Overall, it’s a wonderful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his superb album 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 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Saturday, September 10, 2022, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer in 1944 for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however, Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” on October 15, 1964, with a terrific jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). Bennett recorded several other songs with this quartet. The recordings were released in 2011 in The Complete Collection box set on disc #1: Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

“Out Of This World,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: So Long, Big Time!

The song of the day for Sunday, September 4, 2022, is “So Long, Big Time!”

About This Song

“So Long, Big Time!” was written in 1963 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Dory Langdon Previn. One of Arlen’s later songs, “So Long, Big Time!” is about the “player” who’s run out of luck and is giving up the fast life and knows when it’s time to walk away. The Bill Evans Trio and Monica Zetterlund recorded this song in 1964 for the album Waltz For Debby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Long, Big Time!” on September 17, 1963, and was released in 1964 on the album The Many Moods of Tony. Harold Arlen conducted this recording; the arrangement was written by Marty Manning.

“So Long, Big Time!,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony is available on Apple Music.

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