The song of the day for Tuesday, September 10, 2013 is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

“Penthouse Serenade” is one the classic Depression-era songs with the yearning for the glamorous Manhattan apartment by the poor, yet romantic, couple. It was written in 1931 by Val Burton and Will Jason. The first known use of “Penthouse Serenade” was for the 1933 animated short Betty Boop’s Penthouse, where it was sung by Mae Questel. Nat “King” Cole recorded “Penthouse Serenade” in 1952.

About This Version

“Penthouse Serenade” is from one of Tony Bennett’s finest, and yet relatively obscure albums: Hometown, My Town. Released in 1959, it was one of the early concept albums, with a series of six songs that tell the story a young man living in Manhattan who finds a girl and then loses her. The arc of these six albums are masterful.

The entire album was arranged by Ralph Burns, a noted jazz arranger who worked with Bennett on several albums including This Is All I Ask and Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

Hometown, My Town is one my very favorite Tony Bennett albums, and “Penthouse Serenade” is one of the best songs on this album.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4fqH8vY5L35o48z2H5RAHm
“Penthouse Serenade,” as well as the album Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.