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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

April 23, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Have I Told You Lately

The song of the day for Sunday, April 24, 2022, is “Have I Told You Lately.”

About This Song

“Have I Told You Lately” was written in 1962 by Harold Rome for I Can Get It For You Wholesale, which marked the Broadway debut of the then 19-year-old Barbra Streisand in the supporting role of Miss Marmelstein, a secretary. Her audition for the role was so good, that the writers enlarged her role to take better advantage of her prodigious talents. The cast album was recorded by Columbia Records, and Goddard Lieberson had the good sense to sign the young Streisand to a contract and thus Columbia produced her first album, The Barbra Streisand Album, released in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have I Told You Lately” in 1962, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

“Have I Told You Lately,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Harold Rome, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Marty Manning, Tony Bennett

February 4, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Saturday, February 5, 2022, is “The Rules of the RoadThe 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” in 1961, with a fine arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 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

February 3, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Once Upon A Time

The song of the day for Friday, February 4, 2022, is “Once Upon A Time.”

About This Song

“Once Upon A Time” was written in 1962 by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1962 Ray Bolger musical All American, where it was introduced by Bolger and Eileen Herlie. While the musical was not a major smash hit, the song is quite lovely. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording, it was also recorded by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Howard Keel, Bobby Darrin, and Mandy Patinkin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon A Time” in 1962 for the album I Left My In San Francisco. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Once Upon A Time,” as well as I Left My In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: All American, Charles Strouse, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Lee Adams, Marty Manning, Tony Bennett

January 22, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Sunday, January 23, 2022, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” 60 years ago today, on January 23, 1962.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that 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 (where a young high school saxophone player named Bill Clinton hung outside the auditorium to hear the concert), 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. The recording was released on an album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, put out quickly for lovers of the song.

The recording won Tony Bennet his first (of many) Grammy Award.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Douglas Cross, George Cory, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett

August 16, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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!

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

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