The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

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!

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Sunday, March 3, 2024, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz 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.” This song was used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” on November 3, 1958, for his album Hometown, My Town, which was released in 1959. Ralph Burns arranged the song and conducted the orchestra.

“By Myself,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

I came across a video of Judy Garland singing “By Myself” in 1964 for her television show. She brings down the house with this performance.