The song of the day for December 26, 2018, is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” is from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The music was written by Michel Legrand and the original French lyrics were written by Jacques Demy, who also directed the film. Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. 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 recorded “Watch What Happens” in 1965 and features an arrangement by Don Costa. It was released that same year on the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set.

Watch What Happens

Watch What Happens, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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

About Today

It was with great sadness that I learned that lyricist Norman Gimbel passed away, just a few days before Christmas, at the age of 91. He left a rich legacy as a lyricist that will be a part of the American Songbook for many years to come. For today, we remember Mr. Gimbel with this lovely song.

I would also like to acknowledge my friend Jeff Macauley, whose 2016 cabaret show “It Was Me: The Lyrics of Norman Gimbel” brought the lyrics of Norman Gimbel to a whole new audience. The CD of the show is available from Amazon.