The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live On The Hill

The song of the day for Friday, January 27, 2017 is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Folks That Live On The Hill,” was written in 1937 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this lovely Jerome Kern song in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. The arrangement is by Jorge Callendrelli.

We feature this song today in honor of Jerome Kern, who was born on January 27, 1885. He left us an extraordinary gift of his music, including this beautiful song.

The Folks That Live On The Hill

Listen to The Folks That Live On The Hill on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The Year of Tony Bennett pays tribute today to the great Jerome Kern, born on January 27, 1885. We honor Jerome Kern with our song of the day for Saturday, January 27, 2013: The Way You Look Tonight.

About The Way You Look Tonight

Written for the 1936 Fred Astaire film, Swing Time, The Way You Look Tonight is by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.  It immediately became a standard for popular and jazz singers, including Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday. It has also become a jazz instrumental favorite, with recordings by Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, among others.

Dorothy Fields is quoted as saying

The first time Jerry played the melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded The Way You Look Tonight in 1958 and was featured on the album Long Ago … And Far Away.

Today’s version is from 1997. Originally recorded for the soundtrack for My Best Friend’s Wedding, it was included on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Volume 2 from the 2011 Tony Bennett Complete Collection. Mr. Bennett sings this song at most, if not all, of his live performances. Viva Duets, released in 2012, features a duet of this song with Thalia.

The Way You Look Tonight

Listen to The Way You Look Tonight on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2012

The Way You Look Tonight, as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Volume 2, is available at iTunes.