The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Monday, October 16, 2017 is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

This song was written by Michel Legrand, with lyric by Jacques Demy, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. The English lyrics were added later by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe in Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

You Must Believe In Spring - Remastered 2003

Listen to You Must Believe In Spring - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“You Must Believe in Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Watch What Happens

The song of the day for Sunday, April 23, 2017 is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” is from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. It was composed by Michel Legrand; the original French lyrics were by Jacques Demy, who directed thee film, and the English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of the song, other than the film soundtrack, and the first in English.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Watch What Happens” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set. The arrangement was by Don Costa.

Watch What Happens

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“Watch What Happens,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

About Today

My apologies for forgetting YouTube Saturday. But I do have a nice video of this song from the film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

Enjoy!

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Song of the Day: Watch What Happens

The song of the day for Saturday, September 24, 2016 is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” is from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Michel Legrand wrote the score and director Jacques Demy wrote the lyrics. The English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of the song, other than the film soundtrack, as well as the first in English.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Watch What Happens” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. The arrangement is by Don Costa.

Watch What Happens

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“Watch What Happens,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video today,we have the scene from Les Parapluies de Cherbourg where this song is sung. Your bloggers are especially fond of the wallpaper.

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Song of the Day: Watch What Happens

The song of the day for Sunday, February 22, 2015 is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” was written for the 1964 French film The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg or Les parapluies de Cherbourg in the original French. The music was written by Micheal Legrand with the original lyrics by the director, Jacques Demy. Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg is a lovely film. It is completely sung-through, which at first thought may seem somewhat odd, but it is so well-written and directed, that it all seems perfectly natural. The films stars the absolutely glorious Catherine Deneuve, who was only 20 years old when the film was made. It shows up on Turner Classic Movies at least once or twice a year and is certainly worth your time. And, Michel Legrand’s score is brilliant.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded several of Michel Legrand’s song, including his wonderful version of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.” His first Legrand recording was “Once Upon A Summertime,” from his 1962 album I Wanna Be Around. I’m glad that he included “Watch What Happens” on this album; he sings it very well and it’s a high point on If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set.

Watch What Happens

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“Watch What Happens,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Watch What Happens

The song of the day for Saturday, August 9, 2014 is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” is from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The music is by Michel Legrand. The original French lyrics were written by Jacques Demy, who also directed the film; the English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of the song, other than the film soundtrack, and the first in English.

About This Version

As we mentioned above, this was the first recording of this song, apart from the film’s soundtrack, and was the first in English. “Watch What Happens” was arranged by Don Costa and is from Bennett’s 1965 album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set.

Watch What Happens

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965

“Watch What Happens,” as well as the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

Today is Saturday, and that means it’s YouTube Saturday. I’m taking a bit of a departure; today’s video is this same song, as sung in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (or should I say Les Parapluies de Cherbourg). Enjoy!

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