The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Friday, August 1, 2025, is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

“It Was Me” was written in 1960 by Gilbert Bécaud and Maurice Vidalin with the title “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 as his favorite summer song on NPR.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” on December 19, 1962, for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

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

Here’s that 2009 interview.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Friday, June 20, 2025, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About Today

Summer is here! Time for swim suits, flip flops, and the beach.

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was written in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay. The original French lyrics were written by Eddy 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. Tony Bennett, 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” on October 19, 1962, for I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Once Upon a Summertime,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Until I Met You

The song of the day for Monday, June 16, 2025, is “Until I Met You.”

About This Song

“Until I Met You” was written in 1956 by Freddie Green, with lyrics by Don Wolfe. The instrumental-only version of the tune is known as “Corner Pocket.” Freddie Green played rhythm guitar for the Count Basie Orchestra for fifty years. The first recording of “Corner Pocket” was on Basie’s 1956 album April In Paris. Other recordings include those by Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, and The Manhattan Transfer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Until I Met You” on March 16, 1962, intended for release on On The Glory Road, but was cancelled at the last minute. This recording was included on the 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Until I Met You,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1956 recording by The Count Basie Orchestra from April In Paris:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” was in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim; Gene Lees wrote the English lyrics. 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 Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 19, 2025, 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 this song 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 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 royalties 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” on October 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released 62 years ago on February 18, 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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 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.

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