The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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 – 2011 Remaster

Baby Don’t You Quit Now – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“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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Song of the Day: I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 16, 2016 is “I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her.”

About This Song

“I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her” was written for the 1965 musical Skyscraper by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn. The production got a mild reception, probably due to opening in the same season as Man of La Mancha and Sweet Charity, even though it starred the wonderful and beautiful Julie Harris, who was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance, as was the production for Best Musical. Tough competition from two musicals that were pointing to the future of musical theatre. Nonetheless, this song is quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her” was recorded on September 26, 1965 and released in 1966 on the album A Time For Love. The song was arranged by Johnny Mandel. It’s worth noting that Jimmy Rowles, who played for Billie Holiday on and off during the 1950s, played piano at the session. It was a pretty good session; the other song recorded that day was “The Shadow Of Your Smile.” A good day’s work.

I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her – 2011 Remaster

I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Sunday, May 24, 2015 is “Baby Don’t You Quit Now.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Baby Don’t You Quit Now,” was written in 1967 by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. Rowles, in addition to being a fine composer, was Billie Holiday’s pianist on and off during the 1950s. 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 this song in 1968 for his album I’ve Gotta Be Me. This song was arranged and conducted by Torrie Zito, with musical supervision by Tony Tamburello. Jimmy Wisner produced the album.

Baby Don’t You Quit Now – 2011 Remaster

Baby Don’t You Quit Now – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


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

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