The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Cover the Waterfront

The song of the day for Saturday, February 1, 2025, is “I Cover the Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover the Waterfront” was written by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman in 1933. It was inspired by the 1932 novel I Cover the Waterfront, written by Max Miller, which was made into a film; the film was re-scored just before release to include the Johnny Green song. It has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and even John Lee Hooker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Cover the Waterfront” on November 4, 1958, for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the album.

“I Cover the Waterfront,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Penthouse Serenade

The song of the day for Sunday, January 12, 2025, is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

“Penthouse Serenade” was written in 1933 by Will Jason and Val Burton for the 1933 animated short Betty Boop’s Penthouse, where it was sung by Mae Questel. It’s a classic Depression-era song with a young romantic couple yearning for a glamorous apartment. Notable recordings of this song include those by Nat “King” Cole, Errol Garner, Stan Getz, Tony Bennett, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Penthouse Serenade” on November 6, 1958, for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“Penthouse Serenade,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

Thanks to YouTube, we have a video from Betty Boop’s Penthouse with Mae Questal singing today’s song!

Click here to view the full six minute short.

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Song of the Day: The Skyscraper Blues

The song of the day for Friday, October 4, 2024, is “The Skyscraper Blues.”

About This Song

“The Skyscraper Blues” was written in 1949 for Along Fifth Avenue, a Broadway revue, by Gordon Jenkins and Tom Adair.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Skyscraper Blues” on November 3, 1958, for his album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements.

“The Skyscraper Blues,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Penthouse Serenade

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 23, 2024, is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

“Penthouse Serenade” was written in 1931 by Will Jason and Val Burton. It’s one of the classic Depression-era songs with the yearning for the glamorous Manhattan apartment by the poor, yet romantic, couple. The first known use of “Penthouse Serenade” was for the 1933 animated short Betty Boop’s Penthouse, where it was sung by Mae Questel. On a more serious note, “Penthouse Serenade” has had exceptional recordings: Nat King Cole recorded it in 1952 as a piano solo for an album of the same name and Tony Bennett’s recording for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town is really wonderful with a brilliant arrangement by Ralph Burns.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Penthouse Serenade” on November 6, 1958, for his album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the very fine arrangement.

“Penthouse Serenade,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

I found this clip from Betty Boop’s Penthouse with the Mae Questel recording!

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Song of the Day: I Cover the Waterfront

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 10, 2024, is “I Cover the Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover the Waterfront” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman. The song was inspired by the 1932 novel I Cover The Waterfront, written by Max Miller. A film of the novel was being made and re-scored just before release to include the Johnny Green song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Cover the Waterfront” on November 4, 1958, for the album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. The entire album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“I Cover the Waterfront,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.