The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Saturday, May 8, 2021, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was written by Jule Styne, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. This song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony Award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. It was arranged by the excellent Ralph Burns.

The Party"s Over

Listen to The Party"s Over on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Saturday, April 10, 2021, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dieta for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” “By Myself” was used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About These Versions

Earlier in the week, I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole watching Judy Garland videos and came across one I not seen before: “By Myself.” I then remembered that Tony Bennett had also recorded the song and thought that a Bennett recording with the Garland video would make for a nice post.

When it came time to write this post, I couldn’t decide between which of the two versions Bennett had recorded and so decided to use them both. The first was recorded in 1950 and the second in 1993.

The 1959 version is from Hometown, My Town and was arranged by Ralph Burns.

By Myself

Listen to By Myself on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

The 1993 version from Steppin’ Out was arranged by Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

By Myself

Listen to By Myself on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1993.

And finally, Judy Garland, from her television show in 1964. Her exit at the end of the song is legendary.

JUDY GARLAND sings BY MYSELF and receives a standing ovation 1964

A blistering performance from late in the run of Judy"s CBS television series.

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Song of the Day: I Cover the Waterfront

The song of the day for Thursday, January 21, 2021, is “I Cover the Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover the Waterfront” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman and inspired by the 1932 novel of the same name by Max Miller, which was also made into a film and re-scored just prior to 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” in 1958 for his album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. The entire album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

I Cover The Waterfront

Listen to I Cover The Waterfront on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

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

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Song of the Day: Penthouse Serenade

The song of the day for Thursday, October 29, 2020, is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

“Penthouse Serenade” was written by Will Jason and Val Burton in 1931. 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Penthouse Serenade” in 1959 for his album Hometown, My Town. The very fine arrangement was written by Ralph Burns.

Penthouse Serenade

Listen to Penthouse Serenade on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

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

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Monday, August 10, 2020, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was composed by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony Award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available from Apple Music.

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