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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

October 14, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Saturday, October 15, 2022, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written by Sacha Distel and Jack Reardon in 1962. 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 this version of “The Good Life” on June 24, 1970. John Bunch accompanied Bennett on piano.

“The Good Life,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jack Reardon, John Bunch, Sacha Distel, Tony Bennett

April 22, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Saturday, April 23, 2022, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Dietel and Jack Reardon. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” the song was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Though the song is widely identified with Tony Bennett, other fine recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carman 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” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: I Wanna Be Around, Jack Reardon, Marty Manning, Sacha Distel, Tony Bennett

March 14, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Monday, March 15, 2021, 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” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

The Good Life

Listen to The Good Life on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: I Wanna Be Around, Jack Reardon, Marty Manning, Sacha Distel, Tony Bennett

August 22, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! The Good Life/I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Sunday, August 23, 2020, is a medley of “The Good Life” and “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Distel and 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.

“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1959 by Sophie Vimmerstedt and Johnny Mercer. 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 your 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 sang this medley at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged.

“The Good Life/I Wanna Be Around,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jack Reardon, Johnny Mercer, MTV Unplugged, Sacha Distel, Sadie Vimmerstedt, Tony Bennett

July 13, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 14, 2020, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Distel and 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” in December 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in early 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: I Wanna Be Around, Jack Reardon, La Belle Vie, Marty Manning, Sacha Distel, Tony Bennett

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