The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 17, 2021, is “Smile.”

About This Song

Charlie 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 rises and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed. The lyrics are by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” in 1959, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released as single that year and was also added to the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

Smile

Listen to Smile on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

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

We’ve also got the last moments of Modern Times with Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard:

Smile, Charlie Chaplin , Modern Times, 1936

Smile!

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 4, 2021, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About Today

I hope you all enjoyed Tony Bennett’s 95th birthday! Our 4th of the seven Tony Bennett songs I’m featuring this week is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

“The Best Is Yet To Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sings it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Best Is Yet To Come” in 1960; Cy Coleman wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. It was released as a single in 1960; it was included on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet To Come on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2011.

“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as all of the songs collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 6, is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 3, 2021, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett would like to wish Tony Bennett a very happy 95th birthday. This blog and our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, were created out of love for you and your gifts to us as a singer, artist, philanthropist, and humanitarian. Thank you for giving all of your fans so many wonderful recordings and memories.

On this birthday, what other song could we feature than “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” On a side note, the composer of this song, George Cory was also born on August 3.

About This Song

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written by George Cory and Douglass Cross in 1953.

This 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. Of course, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance, and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” on January 23, 1962. It was first released as a single; later that year it would be the anchor of the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

Listen to (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

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

On July 30, 1963, Tony Bennett appeared on Episode 5 of The Judy Garland Show and sang today’s song.

Judy Garland - Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart In San Francisco

July 30, 1963: Videotaping of "Episode Five" of "The Judy Garland Show" at CBS Television City, Stage 43, Hollywood.Judy"s guests for this episode were Tony...

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 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 this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, featuring a great arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

Rules of the Road

Listen to Rules of the Road on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

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

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

The song of the day for Saturday, February 13, 2021, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1953 by two homesick songwriters, George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This 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. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance and in January, 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” on January 23, 1962. It was released in little over a week as a single, and was the anchor for the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. The song was arranged by Marty Manning.

Tony Bennett won the Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and for Best Solo Vocal Performance, male, for this recording.

The San Francisco Giants play “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” after every winning game at home.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

Listen to (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

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

Here’s Tony on the Judy Garland television program, singing today’s song … Judy joins in too!

Judy Garland - Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart In San Francisco

July 30, 1963: Videotaping of "Episode Five" of "The Judy Garland Show" at CBS Television City, Stage 43, Hollywood.Judy"s guests for this episode were Tony...

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