The song of the day for Friday, March 16, 2018 is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple, which uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful. The songs were composed by Jerome Moss with lyrics and book by John Latouche.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Lazy Afternoon” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. For me, the song represents the best in Tony Bennett. The Golden Apple was by no means a Broadway hit; it only ran for 125 performances. While “Lazy Afternoon” may be the best-known song from the show, I’m sure it was not especially well-known. A lot of performers might be reluctant to include a song that wasn’t in the mainstream, but Tony Bennett has always had impeccable taste in his choice of the songs he sings and this song is perfect for him and also perfect in terms of arc of this amazing concert.

“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.