The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Here’s That Rainy Day

The song of the day for Sunday, October 20, 2024, is “Here’s That Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“Here’s That Rainy Day” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1953 Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders, which only ran for six performances. This song, however, is quite good and has remained a popular ballad over the years. In addition to Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by those such as Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Lawrence, Billy Eckstine, and Ann Hampton Calloway. The song has also proved a favorite of jazz instrumentalists, including Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, and Art Pepper, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Here’s That Rainy Day” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, which was released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Here’s That Rainy Day,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Friday, August 2, 2024, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 12, 2024, is “But Beautiful.”

About Today

We’re continuing our look at The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, recorded June 10-13, 1975.

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “But Beautiful” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, April 4, 2024, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” on August 11, 1954, for his first album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne, who also played guitar on the album.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Thursday, March 28, 2024, is “But Beautiful.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta aka Lady Gaga a very happy birthday! She was born on March 28, 1986, in New York City. She loved music and began piano lessons at the age of 4. She enrolled at New York University in their music school but left her studies to start her career as a performer. She first sang with Tony Bennett for their duet of “The Lady is a Tramp” for Duets II and recorded two additional albums with Bennett: Cheek To Cheek and Love For Sale.

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke in 1947 for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Bill Evans and Tony Bennett, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett recorded “But Beautiful” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“But Beautiful,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.