The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Moonlight in Vermont

The song of the day for Monday, July 22, 2024, is “Moonlight in Vermont.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is remembering Margaret Whiting, who was born one hundred years ago today, on July 22, 1924. Her father was songwriter Richard Whiting, who wrote popular songs including “Hooray for Hollywood” and “Ain’t We Got Fun.” Margaret started her career as a band singer and one of her first hits was today’s song “Moonlight in Vermont,” recorded with Billy Butterfield’s Orchestra and which sold over one million copies. In addition to her career as a singer, she was a cabaret master teacher and held the position of Artistic Director of the annual Cabaret and Performance Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford Connecticut from 1989 through 2001.

About This Song

“Moonlight in Vermont” was written in 1944 by Karl Suessdorf and John Blackburn. It was made famous by Margaret Whiting, who recorded it in 1944 with Billy Butterfield and his Orchestra. It has been popular ever since, with other recordings by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Moonlight in Vermont” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, which honored the great women singers of the 20th centuries by featuring thier most significant recordings. Bill Holman arranged and conducted the recording.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“Moonlight in Vermont,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 4, 2024, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman, Peggy Lee, and Bill Schluger. This is one of the several songs that Peggy Lee wrote with Cy Coleman. Miss Lee used it as the title song for her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m In Love Again” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. For this album he recorded songs associated with the great 20th century female singers; this song was recorded for Miss Peggy Lee. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“I’m In Love Again,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Tangerine

The song of the day for Friday, May 10, 2024, is “Tangerine.”

About This Song

“Tangerine” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 movie The Fleet’s In, which starred Dorothy Lamour, William Holden, Eddie Bracken and introduced Betty Hutton. The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, with vocalists Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly, made a very successful recording in 1942.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tangerine” in June 1995 for his album Here’s to the Ladies. For his album, he recorded songs made famous by notable women singers in the 20th century; Tangerine was recorded in tribute to Helen O’Connell. It was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman.

“Tangerine,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Monday, April 8, 2024, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the great E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, who was born 128 years ago today on April 6, 1896. Yip Harburg was one of America’s most gifted lyricists, known for songs including “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,” “April in Paris,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” and, most famously, “Over The Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.

About This Song

“Over The Rainbow” was written in 1939 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s and Harburg’s songs, “Over The Rainbow” is from the The Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed down the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song.

“Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts. The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over The Rainbow” in July 1995 for Here’s To The Ladies, in tribute to Judy Garland. It was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman.

“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

In 1979, Yip Harburg appeared in a television program about the art of songwriting. Here’s an excerpt from that program.

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Song of the Day: Sentimental Journey

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 3, 2024, is “Sentimental Journey.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is remembering Doris Day, who first recorded today’s song with Les Brown and His Band of Renown. Doris Day was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 3, 1922, and died at 97 on May 13, 2019, in Carmel Valley, California. She began her career as a big band singer with Les Brown in 1939; “Sentimental Journey” was one of her #1 recordings in 1946. In addition to her singing career, Doris Day was a movie star in the 1950s and 1960s.

About This Song

“Sentimental Journey” was written in 1944 by Les Brown and Ben Homer, with lyrics from Ben Green. The song was a hit record for Les Brown and His Band of Renown; it featured Doris Day as vocalist and this song was her first #1 hit song. The song was popular in the US as soldiers returned home at the end of World War II. The song is a well-known standard and has been recorded by Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Ames Brothers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sentimental Journey” in July 1995 for his album songs associated with the great women singers, Here’s To The Ladies. “Sentimental Journey” was Miss Day’s representation on that album. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Sentimental Journey,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

Here’s Miss Day’s 1946 recording of “Sentimental Journey” with Les Brown and His Band of Renown: