The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Poor Butterfly

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 18, 2013 is “Poor Butterfly.”

About This Song

“Poor Butterfly” was inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Madame Butterfly; the verse references the Puccini melody briefly.The song was written by Raymond Hubbell and John Golden for the 1916 Broadway show The Big Show, where it was introduced by Sophie Bernard.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Poor Butterfly” is the second time he recorded the song: in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies, acknowledging Sarah Vaughan’s performance of this song in 1958. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli. Bennett also recorded this song in 1960 for Alone Together.

You can hear Sarah Vaughan singing this song on YouTube.

http://open.spotify.com/track/0jz6yIEnFzb39mr8WWM79T
“Poor Butterfly,” as well as the album Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Tangerine

The song of the day for Thursday, January 30, 2014 is “Tangerine.”

About This Song

“Tangerine” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer in 1941 for the 1942 movie The Fleet’s In, which was directed by Schertzinger. The most popular recording of this song was by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, featuring vocals by Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tangerine” for his 1995 album Here’s To The Ladies.; the liner notes reference Helen O’Connell as the singer most widely identified with this song. The song was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli; the album was produced by David Kahne.

http://open.spotify.com/track/49IDSL3lYJNMs2lVlDbPRr
“Tangerine,” as well as the album Here’s to the Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Monday, January 27, 2014, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee, with Bill Schulger, in 1963. It was originally recorded by Peggy Lee for her 1964 album of the same name; other recordings of this song include those by Blossom Dearie and Barbara Carroll.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song for his 1995 album Here’s To The Ladies, in which he performs song associated with the great female singers, including Judy Garland, Blossom Dearie, Rosemary Clooney and many more. Today’s song, “I’m In Love Again,” is for Peggy Lee, who co-wrote the song. To view the liner notes for this album and to find out which songs on the album are associated with which singers, please visit the topic for Here’s to The Ladies on our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2vZyZrgBS7tu9ClaUOr5g5
“I’m In Love Again,” as well as the album Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Got Rhythm

The song of the day for Monday July 29, 2013 is “I Got Rhythm.”

About This Song

The Gershwins wrote “I Got Rhythm” in 1930 for the musical Girl Crazy.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s 1995 album, Here’s To The Ladies.” In this album, Bennett sings songs associated with America’s great female singers. “I Got Rhythm” is for Ethel Merman, who sang the song in the original 1930 production.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7c0PfQlL0eJCkmanNz7ofb
“I Got Rhythm,” as well as the entire Here’s To The Ladies album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Friday, June 28, 2013 is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929 by Thomas “Fats” Waller with lyrics by Andy Razaf. It was well-accepted in jazz bands of the 1930s, with recordings by Fletcher Henderson, Red Norvo, Mildred Bailey and Count Basie. Waller’s 1934 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” for his 1995 album Here’s To The Ladies, in which he honored the great female sings of the American Songbook with the songs associated with them. “Honeysuckle Rose” is for Lena Horne. Tony and Lena Horne toured together in both England and  the United States in the early 1970s.

http://open.spotify.com/track/47R9OVh2SSv5VciZh8S064
“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as the entire Here’s To The Ladies album, is available from iTunes.

And here’s Fats Waller …
http://open.spotify.com/track/0EYRLGRgsgnKetAVziaaLT