The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 8, 2020, is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was composed by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey, and Irving Caesar, was written for the 1927 musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sometimes I’m Happy” featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was to be released on the 1962 album On The Glory Road; however, Columbia pulled the album immediately before the release date. On The Glory Road was, thankfully, released as part of the 2011 Complete Collection and is also available on Apple Music and iTunes.

“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! Tea For Two

The song of the day for Saturday, June 6, 2020, is “Tea For Two.”

About This Song

“Tea For Two” was written by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar for the very popular 1925 musical No, No Nanette. The musical had a very successful revival on Broadway in 1971, which helped to make “Tea For Two” even more popular with the public.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tea For Two” with The London Philharmonic Orchestra in concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement; Robert Farnon was the conductor. The recorded concert was released on the album Get Happy.

“Tea For Two,” as well as Get Happy, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Crazy Rhythm

The song of the day for Thursday, April 11, 2019, is “Crazy Rhythm.”

About This Song

“Crazy Rhythm” was composed by Joseph Meyer and Roger Wolfe Kahn (music) and Irving Caesar (lyrics) in 1929 for the musical Here’s Howe. It’s been a popular standard since it was written and has been heavily recorded, not just by jazz and popular artists, but other genres including hillbilly. Significant recordings include those by Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Stan Getz, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, and Whispering Jack Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Crazy Rhythm” for Bennett’s 1957 album The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett assembled the best jazz drummers and percussionists to perform on this album. “Crazy Rhythm” features Chico Hamilton.

Crazy Rhythm

Crazy Rhythm, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Crazy Rhythm,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 27, 2016 is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Sometimes I’m Happy,” was composed by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey and Irving Caesar. It was written for the musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song twice. Today we feature the second recording, made in 1967 and released that year on the album For Once In My Life. The arrangement is by Marion Evans.

Sometimes I’m Happy – 2011 Remaster

Sometimes I’m Happy – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Friday, February 21, 2014 is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was composed by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Irving Caesar. It was written for the 1927 Broadway musical Hit The Deck. The song was quite popular as soon as it was published and was widely performed and recorded in 1927. Subsequent recordings include those by Mildred Bailey, Bunny Berrigan, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Nat “King” Cole, Anita O’Day, Roy Eldridge and many, many others. It’s been a standard part of the American Songbook and even though it’s nearly 90 years old, it still sounds current. But that’s the American Songbook — some of the greatest music ever written.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s legendary 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. It’s my opinion (and I know for a fact I’m not alone in this) that this album is the finest recording of a live concert ever made. I’m also convinced that it’s one of the greatest concerts ever given by a singer.

Sometimes I’m Happy (From “Hit The Deck”) – Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY – June 1962

Sometimes I’m Happy (From “Hit The Deck”) – Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY – June 1962, a song by Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra on Spotify


“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as the entire Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall album, is available from iTunes.

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