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 Thursday, November 4, 2021, is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About This Song

“The Folks That Live On The Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II 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 in 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 “The Folks That Live On The Hill” for his 1990 album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Friday, August 6, 2021, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About Today

Jerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight” is one of greatest love songs ever written and Tony’s versions of singing this song are quite wonderful and so it’s definitely on my list of Tony Bennett’s greatest recordings.

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written in 1936 by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the movie Swing Time; it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked:

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

Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting. It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version in 1997 with The Ralph Sharon Trio for the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding. The recording was collected on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 in the 2011 Complete Collection.

The Way You Look Tonight

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

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as all of the songs on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Monday, July 12, 2021, is “All The Things You Are.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is honoring Oscar Hammerstein II, who was born in New York City on July 12, 1895. Hammerstein is well-known for his collaborations with Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers. He is also known for being a mentor to Stephen Sondheim, who was friend to one of Hammerstein’s sons.

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All The Things You Are” for his 2015 with Bill Charlap, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Previously, Bennett performed the song at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall.

All The Things You Are

Listen to All The Things You Are on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2015.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 2, 2021, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All The Things You Are” on June 9, 1962, at his concert at Carnegie Hall, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

I fell in love with this song and Bennett’s recording on my first listen and my love for this song has never faded. Bennett recorded “All The Things You Are” for his 1915 album with Bill Charlap, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, which is just as lovely as the recording we’re featuring today.

All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Sunday, January 31, 2021, is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was originally written in 1934 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein, for a London musical called Three Sisters, though the show was a flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with lyrics by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields.

About This Version

With The Bill Charlap Trio, Tony Bennett recorded “I Won’t Dance” for the 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Charlap wrote the arrangement.

I Won"t Dance

Listen to I Won"t Dance on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2015.

“I Won’t Dance,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from Apple Music.

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