The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Thursday, August 12, 2021, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was composed in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay, with French lyrics bby Eddie Marnay. Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics. Blossom Dearie recorded the first English version of “Once Upon a Summertime” in 1958 for her album of the same name. Miles Davis and Sarah Vaughan recorded it in 1963, followed by Bill Evans in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon a Summertime” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangment.

Once Upon A Summertime

Listen to Once Upon A Summertime on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

“Once Upon a Summertime” 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 Monday, July 26, 2021, is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

“It Was Me” (“C’etait Moi” in the original French) was written in 1960 by Gilbert Bécaud and Maurice Vidalin; Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. It’s a beautiful love song that brings memories of summers past and, maybe, to come. In 2009, Tony Bennett named this as his favorite summer song in an NPR interview.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning did the arrangement.

It Was Me

Listen to It Was Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

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

Here’s that 2009 NPR story.

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Monday, May 10, 2021, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1950 by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmerstedt.

The story of “I Wanna Be Around” is legendary in the music business. Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line ‘I want to be around to pick up the pieces, when somebody breaks yours heart’ and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer. Mercer wrote the melody himself and completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959 and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the profits to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wanna Be Around” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

I Wanna Be Around...

Listen to I Wanna Be Around... on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

“I Wanna Be Around,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 6, 2021, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” (“Corcovado” in the original Portuguese) was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1960; the English lyrics by Gene Lees were added later. It 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” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, which was released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

Listen to Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

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

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Saturday, March 26, 2021, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1959 by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmerstedt.

The story of “I Wanna Be Around” is legendary in the music business. Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line ‘I want to be around to pick up the pieces when somebody breaks your heart’ and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer. Mercer wrote the melody himself and completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959 and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the profits to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett r3ecorded “I Wanna Be Around” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

I Wanna Be Around...

Listen to I Wanna Be Around... on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

“I Wanna Be Around,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available from Apple Music.

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