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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

July 26, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Thursday, July 27, 2023, is “Smile.”

About This Song

“Smile” was written by Charlie Chaplin in 1936; the lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons were added later. Chaplin wrote “Smile” for his last silent film, Modern Times, which shows Chaplin and his costar Paulette Goddard, walking hand-in-hand up the road as the sun sets and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” on June 24, 1959, with an arrangement by Ralph Burns. The recording was released as a single in 1959 and again in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart San Francisco.

“Smile,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that unforgettable scene from Modern Times:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charlie Chapin, Geoffrey Parsons, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, John Turner, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

June 13, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 14, 2023, is “Rules of the Road.”

About Today

We’re remembering Cy Coleman, who wrote today’s song, on the anniversary of his birth on June 14, 1929.

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version “Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961, arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns, and released as a single. It was added to Bennett’s 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, Happy Birthday Cy Coleman, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

June 9, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Left My Heart In San Francisco

The song of the day for Saturday; June 11, 2023, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to remember Judy Garland, who was born on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her body of work, both in film and as a performer, was astounding. Today’s post has footage of Tony and Judy, when he appeared on The Judy Garland Show on July 30, 1963.

About This Song

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross. The song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” on January 23, 1962, with an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was originally released as a single — on the B-side of “Once Upon a Time.” Later that year, the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco was released, with the song as the first cut on side one of the LP.

I Left My Heart In San Francisco won the 1962 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male.

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett and Judy Garland had been friends for many years and Tony was happy to appear on her television program, The Judy Garland Show and to sing today’s song.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Douglass Cross, George Cory, Happy Birthday Judy Garland, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Judy Garland, Marty Manning, The Judy Garland Show, Tony Bennett

August 18, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Friday, August 19, 2022, is “Smile.”

About This Song

Charlie Chaplin wrote “Smile” in 1936 for his last silent film, Modern Times, which shows Chaplin and his costar Paulette Goddard, walking hand-in-hand up the road as the sun rises and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” on June 24, 1959. It was released as a single in 1959 (Columbia 45: 4-41434) and again in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.

“Smile,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that final scene from Modern Times.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charlie Chaplin, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Modern Times, Paulette Goddard, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

August 16, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 17, 2022, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961, with a very fine arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

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