The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Friday, October 18, 2024, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About This Song

“Prelude to a Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills. At a time when swing music was popular, Ellington wrote this more ambitious and experimental ballad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude to a Kiss” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. Joel Smirnoff is the featured violinist.

“Prelude to a Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s instrumental recording of “Prelude to a Kiss” from 1938:

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Song of the Day: Me, Myself and I

The song of the day for Monday, February 19, 2024, is “Me, Myself and I.”

About This Song

“Me, Myself and I” was written in 1937 by Irving Gordon, with lyrics by Allen Roberts and Alvin S. Kaufman. Early recordings of this song include those by Billie Holiday and Benny Goodman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Me, Myself and I” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennet On Holiday, a tribute to Billie Holiday. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Me, Myself and I,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie’s original recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: Prelude To A Kiss

The song of the day for Thursday, January 26, 2023, is “Prelude To A Kiss.”

About This Song

“Prelude To A Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills. Ted Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that in the late 1930s, having practically invented swing music:

… at this juncture he does the exact opposite. The Duke uses his fame and great artistic freedom to become more ambitious, more experimental, less beholden to the formulas of swing music. … ‘Prelude To A Kiss’ from 1938 is a case in point.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude To A Kiss” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Featured on this recording are Gray Sargent on guitar and Joel Smirnoff on violin.

“Prelude To A Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s first recording of “Prelude To A Kiss,” an instrumental, featuring the impeccable Johnny Hodges:

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Song of the Day: Me, Myself and I

The song of the day for Friday, January 13, 2023, is “Me, Myself and I.”

About This Song

“Me, Myself and I” was written in 1937 by Irving Gordon, Allen Roberts, and Alvin S. Kaufman.It was first recorded in 1937 by several artists, including Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra, Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, Bob Howard and His Orchestra, and Dick Jurgens and His Orchestra with vocalist Eddy Howard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Me, Myself and I” in June 1996 for the album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

“Me, Myself and I,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Lady Day’s 1937 recording of “Me, Myself and I.”

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Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Saturday, December 11, 2021, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “Prelude to a Kiss” in 1938, with lyrics by Irving Mills and Irving Gordon. Ted Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that in the late 1930s, having practically invented swing music, “… at this juncture he does the exact opposite. The Duke uses his fame and great artistic freedom to become more ambitious, more experimental, less beholden to the formulas of swing music. … ‘Prelude To A Kiss’ from 1938 is a case in point.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude to a Kiss” in 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, arranged by Jorge Calandrelli. The recording features Gray Sargent on guitar and Joel Smirnoff on violin.

“Prelude to a Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1938 instrumental recording of “Prelude to a Kiss”