The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Monday, February 10, 2025, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was composed by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, with Count Basie and His Orchestra for their 1959 album In Person!. The album was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lullaby of Broadway

The song of the day for Thursday, December 12, 2024, is “Lullaby of Broadway.”

About This Song

“Lullaby of Broadway” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1935 movie The Gold Diggers of 1935. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. “Lullaby of Broadway” is one of the great show biz anthems. The 1980 Broadway musical 42nd Street featured Jerry Orbach singing the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Band, recorded “Lullaby of Broadway” on December 22, 1958, for the album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lullaby of Broadway,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When I Fall In Love

The song of the day for Friday, October 11, 2024, is “When I Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“When I Fall In Love” was written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman for the 1952 romantic war film One Minute to Zero, starring Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth. The tagline on the movie poster was “Back of every man of action, there’s a woman made for love.” Well, it was 1952.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When I Fall In Love” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“When I Fall In Love” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost In The Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 23, 2024, is “Lost In The Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost In The Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Lost In The Stars” on December 22, 1958, for his album with Count Basie and His Band, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lost In The Stars,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 26, 2024, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written by Duke Ellington in 1934, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short. It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Solitude” on December 30, 1958, with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the 1959 album In Person!

“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

I found this video of Tony Bennett and Duke Ellington and His Orchestra appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show on April 6, 1969. Their set starts with “Love Scene” followed by “Solitude” (starting at 2:17):