The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Monday, April 10, 2023, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The English lyrics were written by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one of the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” on December 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Quiet Days of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Sunday, August 28, 2022, is Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” on December 19, 1962, and released it in 1962 on the album I Wanna Be Around. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is “It Was Me.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Tony Bennett a wonderful 96th birthday.

About This Song

“It Was Me” was written in 1960 by Gilbert Becaud as “C’etait Moi,” with English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. It’s a beautiful love song that brings memories of summers past and, maybe, to come. In 2009, Tony Bennett named this his favorite summer song in a 2009 interview on NPR.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” on December 19, 1962; the recording was released in 1963 on the album I Wanna Be Around. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“It Was Me,” as well as I Wanna Be Aro[und is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Tony’s interview with NPR about today’s song:

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 4, 2022, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” (“Corcovado” in the original Portuguese) written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1960 is one of the great early bossa nova songs. The English lyrics were written by Gene Lees. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Saturday, April 23, 2022, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Dietel and Jack Reardon. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” the song was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Though the song is widely identified with Tony Bennett, other fine recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carman McRae, and Stephane Grappelli. It has been said that Distel wrote this song about Bridgette Bardot, who refused Distel’s marriage proposal.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Good Life” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“The Good Life,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

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