The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written by Sacha Distel. Jean Broussolle wrote the original French lyrics and Jack Reardon wrote the English lyrics. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” “The Good Life” was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Tony Bennett is the singer most widely identified with “The Good Life;” other good recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, and Stephane Grappelli. It has been said that Distel wrote this song about Bridgette Bardot, who refused Distel’s marriage proposal.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Good Life” on June 24, 1970, with pianist John Bunch. The recording was originally released in 1970 on Tony Bennett Sings His All-Time Greatest Hits; it was also included on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, as part of his 2011 Complete Collections box set.

“The Good Life,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Cold, Cold Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, December 1, 2024, is “Cold, Cold Heart.”

About Today

We’re honoring John Bunch, born on December 1, 1921, in Tipton, Indiana. Bunch was Tony Bennett’s pianist and musical director from 1966 until 1972. He played piano for many prominent jazz bands, including those led by Bennett Goodman, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and Pearl Bailey. He was also a member of the New York Jazz Quartet with Bucky Pizzarelli, Joe Cocuzzzo, and Jay Leonhart.

About This Song

“Cold, Cold Heart” was written in 1951 by Hank Williams. Bennett was unsure about recording the original 1951 version, telling producer Mitch Miller he could sing it as he was not a country and western singer. Bennett recounted at a concert I attended that Mitch told him that “he’d record it even if he (Mitch) had to tie him to a tree. ‘And so he tied me to a tree’ Bennett quipped.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and John Bennett recorded this version of “Cold, Cold Heart” on June 24, 1970, released on Tony Bennett Sings His All-Time Hall of Fame Hits. It’s an elegant and understated recording that is just exquisite.

“Cold, Cold Heart,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Cold, Cold Heart

The song of the day for Friday, December 1, 2023, is “Cold, Cold Heart.”

About Today

We’re celebrating pianist John Bunch, who was born on December 1, 1921, in Tipton, Indiana. Bunch was Tony Bennett’s pianist and musical director from 1966 to 1972. In addition to his work with Bennett, he played with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Pearl Bailey, and Scott Hamilton. He led a trio, mostly in England, and made many recordings as a leader, such as with the New York Swing Trio with Bucky Pizzarelli and Jay Leonhart.

About This Song

“Cold, Cold Heart” was written in 1951 by Hank Williams. Tony Bennett regularly sang this song in his concerts and told the story of how Mitch Miller played the song and asked Bennett to record it. Bennett told him he couldn’t sing it, as he wasn’t a country and western singer. He says that Mitch said he’d record it even if he (Mitch) had to tie him to a tree. “And so he tied me to a tree …” Bennett would quip. It really is a beautiful and heartfelt song and was a big hit for Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Cold, Cold Heart” on June 14, 1970, with pianist John Bunch.

“Cold, Cold Heart,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Cold, Cold Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, June 25, 2023, is “Cold, Cold Heart.”

About This Song

“Cold, Cold Heart” was written in 1951 by Hank Williams. Tony Bennett joked in a concert once that when Mitch Miller asked him to record the song, he told Mitch that he couldn’t sing it, as he wasn’t a country and western singer. He said that Mictch said he’d record it even if he had to tie him to a tree. “And so he tied me to a tree” Bennett quipped. Bennett’s 1951 version of “Cold, Cold Heart” was really beautiful and a big hit for him.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Cold, Cold Heart” on June 24, 1970, featuring John Bunch on piano. It was included in a Columbia collection called Tony Bennett Sings His All-Time Hall of Fame Hits. Luckily for us, it was included on the Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 disc in the 2011 Complete Collection.

“Cold, Cold Hart,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

On Valentine’s Day 2012, Google presented this “doodle” featuring Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Cold, Cold Heart.” It’s quite charming.

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Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Saturday, October 15, 2022, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written by Sacha Distel and Jack Reardon in 1962. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” “The Good Life” was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Tony Bennett is the singer most widely identified with “The Good Life.”Other good recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, and Stephane Grappelli. It has been said that Distel wrote this song about Bridgette Bardot, who refused Distel’s marriage proposal.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Good Life” on June 24, 1970. John Bunch accompanied Bennett on piano.

“The Good Life,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.