The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Baby Don’t You Quit Now

The song of the day for Saturday, June 17, 2023, is “Baby Don’t You Quit Now.”

About This Song

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now” was written in 1967 by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. In the booklet for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett says “This song is one of Ella Fitzgerald’s favorites, and a fun song to perform. It was written by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. It always runs through my brain …”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby Don’t You Quit Now” on November 25, 1968, for the album I’ve Gotta Be Me, which was released in 1969. Torrie Zito arranged the song and conducted the orchestra.

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now,” as well as I’ve Gotta Be Me is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Baby Don’t You Quit Now

The song of the day for Monday, July 5, 2021, is “Baby Don’t You Quit Now.”

About This Song

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now” was written in 1967 by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. In the booklet for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett collection, Tony Bennett says “This song is one of Ella Fitzgerald’s favorites, and a fun song to perform. It was written by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. It always runs through my brain …”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby Don’t Quit Now” in 1968 for the album I’ve Gotta Be Me, released in 1969. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Baby Don"t You Quit Now

Listen to Baby Don"t You Quit Now on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1969.

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now,” as well as I’ve Gotta Be Me is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shadow of Your Smile

The song of the day for Monday, November 23, 2020, is “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the life of Johnny Mandel, born on November 23, 1925, in New York City. He was a prolific composer, especially for films. Sadly, we lost Mandel this year, who died on June 29, 2020, at the age of 94.

About This Song

“The Shadow of Your Smile” was written by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, for the 1965 film The Sandpiper, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. It was filmed, beautifully, in Big Sur on the California coastline. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shadow of Your Smile” in 1965 for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. It was arranged and conducted by Mandel and features Jimmy Rowles on piano. The recording won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from "The Sandpiper")

Listen to The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from "The Sandpiper") on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1966.

“The Shadow of Your Smile,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shadow of Your Smile

The song of the day for Monday, February 10, 2020, is “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

About This Song

“The Shadow of Your Smile” was written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster in 1965 for The Sandpiper, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. It was filmed, beautifully, in Big Sur on the California coastline. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shadow of Your Smile” in 1965; the song was included in The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. It was arranged and conducted by its composer, Johnny Mandel. The recording features Jimmy Rowles on piano.

“The Shadow of Your Smile,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Baby Don’t You Quit Now

The song of the day for Monday, October 2, 2017 is “Baby Don’t You Quit Now.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Baby Don’t You Quit Now” was written in 1967, with music by Jimmy Rowles and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Rowles was a noted pianist to several female jazz singers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan. He also played with bands led by noted leaders, including Lester Young, Nelson Riddle, Buddy Rich and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby Don’t You Quit Now” in 1968 for his album I’ve Gotta Be Me. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Baby Don"t You Quit Now

Listen to Baby Don"t You Quit Now on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1969.


“https://open.spotify.com/track/4RheUdXKEuGWCJ1gjmmYi9,” as well as I’ve Gotta Be Me, is available from iTunes.

Last week I was on the Apple Music site and they were featuring a “Tony Bennett Deep Cuts” playlist. I gave it a listen–thinking there wasn’t any song on their so-called deep cuts playlist that I didn’t know backwards and forwards, but this song rather took me by surprise. It’s a great melody with some great Mercer lyrics and a great performance by Mr. Bennett.

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