The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Your Number

The song of the day for Thursday, August 22, 2013 is “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Song

Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh wrote “I’ve Got Your Number” in 1962 for the musical Little Me, starring Sid Caesar and Virginia Martin, who introduced this song.

About This Version

“I’ve Got Your Number” is from Tony Bennett’s 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. The song was arranged by Marty Manning with a great big band sound … the trombones at the beginning get me each and every time I listen to this song. The album was produced by Ernie Altschuler.

Today’s version is by request from this blog’s earliest and most devoted fan. Nick, you take care of yourself!

http://open.spotify.com/track/3pXVyrs7lh9X5tSgcASIUB
“I’ve Got Your Number,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes and Amazon.com.

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Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 20, 2013 is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

It is said that Sacha Distel wrote “The Good Life” after his relationship with Bridgette Bardot ended when she refused his proposal of marriage. I don’t know if this is true or not, but it’s a great story. The song was written in 1962 for the movie The Seven Capital Sins, with lyrics by Jack Reardon. The original French title was “La Belle Vie.”

About This Version

Today’s song comes from Tony Bennett’s 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. In addition to today’s iconic song, the album also contains the Johnny Mercer-Sadie Vimmerstedt song “I Wanna Be Around,” as well as many other fine songs. “The Good Life” was arranged by Marty Manning and produced by Ernie Altschuler.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4MVvSNPOUd2z70vkkNCbLr
“The Good Life,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Sunday, June 23, 2013 is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

If there is a more perfect song to bring summer to life, I don’t know what it is. “It Was Me” was written 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. National Public Radio’s Melissa Block interviewed Tony Bennett about his favorite summer song, “It Was Me,” in 2009. Click here to listen to the story.

http://open.spotify.com/track/27SCZ5Gnb7YxnzoBJo2sZJ
“It Was Me,” as well as the entire I Wanna Be Around album, is available from iTunes.

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Song the the Day: The Good Life

The Song of the Day for October 7, 2012 is The Good Life.

About The Good Life

The Good Life, originally known as La Belle Vie, was written by composer Sacha Distel with lyrics by Jack Reardon. It was written 1962 and was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. The song is primariy associated with Tony Bennett, but has been sung by many other performers, including Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, Duke Ellington, Shirley Horn, and many more.

About This Version

We choose this song today in our preparation for Viva Duets, which will include a duet of this song with Franco De Vita. This version is from Mr. Bennett’s 1963 I Wanna Be Around. Note that Mr. Bennett used “The Good Life” as the title of his autobiography.