The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 3, 2021, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written in 1947 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the 1947 movie It Happened in Brooklyn, featuring Frank Sinatra. It was introduced by Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists.

In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.”

Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper, all of whom made excellent recordings of today’s song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” with the Ralph Sharon Trio for his 1992 album Perfectly Frank. With Sharon on piano, the trio rounds out with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

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Song of the Day: All Of My Life

The song of the day for Thursday, October 28, 2021, is “All Of My Life.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “All Of My Life” in 1944. This sweet ballad expresses the yearning for a nice life with the one that you love, a message that was quite poignant for a country towards the end of World War II. This song was introduced (and made famous) by Kate Smith. Other recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Harry James, Sarah Vaughan, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of My Life” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin, featuring Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone. Bennett wrote the arrangement and is accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“All Of My Life,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended

The song of the day for Friday, October 22, 2021, is “The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On).”

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)” was written in 1927 by Irving Berlin, with lyrics by Beda Loehner. In his book The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia, Thomas Hischak calls this song

An Irving Berlin standard whose title has been called the theme of all popular music, a chilling number in which both the lover and the ballad that was ‘their song’ is gone; yet neither can be forgotten because they remain in one’s memory.

This song was recorded in 1927 by Ruth Etting and has remained popular over the years with recordings by Dick Haymes, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeri Southern, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet. The Ralph Sharon Trio accompanies Bennett, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On),” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day

The song of the day for Sunday, April 4, 2021, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. Backing Bennett is the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Isn"t This a Lovely Day

Listen to Isn"t This a Lovely Day on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1987.

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Rainy Day

The song of the day for Friday, February 21, 2020, is “A Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“A Rainy Day” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz or the 1932 Broadway musical revue Flying Colors, which starred Clifton Webb, Patsy Kelly, Imogene Coca, and Buddy and Vilma Ebsen.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Rainy Day” in on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence. The recording was arranged and orchestrated by Jorge Callandrelli and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

The Art of Excellence was Bennett’s first album upon his return to Columbia Records.

“A Rainy Day,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

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