The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Monday, January 29, 2024, is “The Good Life.”

About Today

We are remembering composer Sacha Distel on the anniversary of his birth on January 29, 1933. In addition to composing, Distel was a famed guitarist and singer. He was awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur in 1997. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 71.

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Distel and Jack Reardon for the movie Seven Capital Sins. Tony Bennett is the singer most widely identified with “The Good Life;” other good recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carmen 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” on December 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. The song was arranged by Marty Manning.

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

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Sunday, January 21, 2024, 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 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” on October 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

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

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Saturday, October 7, 2023, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was composed by Johnny Mercer, with lyrics by Sadie Vimmerstedt and Johnny Mercer in 1959.

The “I Wanna Be Around” story 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 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” on October 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.


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

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Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 29, 2023, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was written in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay; the French lyrics were written by Eddie Marnay and the English lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer. 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 the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Once Upon a Summertime,” 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 Tuesday, August 22, 2023, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Distel, with lyrics by Jack Reardon. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” “The Good Life” was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Tony Bennett is the singer most widely identified with “The Good Life;” other good recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carmen 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” on December 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning.

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