The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart

The song of the day for Monday, November 27, 2017 is “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart.”

About This Song

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” was written in 1931 by James P. Johnson and Flournoy Earkin Miller. Johnson, a pianist and composer, also known as a Harlem Stride pianist, collaborated with author and producer Flournoy Miller to produce the Sugar Hill revue in 1931 for this song. Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” as a duet with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra in 1949 on the Decca label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” in 2002 for their album A Wonderful World.

You Can"t Lose A Broken Heart

Listen to You Can"t Lose A Broken Heart on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 23, 2017 is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Don’t Cry Baby,” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie and Stella Unger. Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” twice: in 1950 and again in 2001. I’ve featured the 2001 recording several times, so I thought I’d present his 1950 version, which was arranged by Norman Leyden. It’s a really nice recording of this song and is fun to hear Bennett exercising his blues chops.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 4, 2017 is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” on October 1, 1950. This time, his arranger was Norman Leyden; the recording was produced by Mitch Miller. This early recording has always fascinated me. It’s a great song and you can feel the young Bennett stretching out just a bit for this blues song.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as all the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Sunday, December 4, 2016 is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

James P. Johnson
James P. Johnson

Pianist James P. Johnson, who wrote this song with lyrics by Henry Creamer, made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Could Be With You” in 1996 for his 2007 album of Billie Holiday songs Tony Bennett On Holiday.

If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight)

Listen to If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1997


“If I Could Be With You,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 9, 2016 is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “If I Could Be With You,” was written in 1926 by pianist James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer. Composer Johnson made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include this by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Could Be With You” in 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Bennett won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for this album.

If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight)

Listen to If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1997


“If I Could Be With You,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.