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 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.

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Song of the Day: Who Cares

The song of the day for Saturday, October 1, 2022, is “Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me).”

About This Song

“Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me)” was written in 1931 by George and Ira Gershwin for the Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing. It’s one of their very popular songs with many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland. Tony Bennett sang this song regularly in his concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me)” on July 18, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. His pianist John Bunch wrote the arrangement.

“Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me),” as well as For One In My Life is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Who Cares

The song of the day for Sunday, July 18, 2021, is “Who Cares.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “Who Cares” in 1931 for the Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing. It’s one of their very popular songs with many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Who Cares” 54 years ago today, July 18, 1967, at one of the recording sessions for the album For Once In My Life. The recording didn’t make to the original release of the album but was added for the CD in 2011 Complete Collection box set release. Bennett’s pianist, John Bunch, wrote the arrangement.

Who Cares (So Long As You Care for Me)

Listen to Who Cares (So Long As You Care for Me) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.

“Who Cares,” as well as For Once In My Life is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: One For My Baby/It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Thursday, February 20, 2020, is “One For My Baby/It Had To Be You.”

About These Songs

“One For My Baby” was written in 1943 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. “It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his pianist John Bunch, recorded this medley in 1970. Exquisite is not a word I throw around lightly, but this recording is exquisite. If you close your eyes, you might think Tony is in the room, singing just to you. The recording was released on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

“One For My Baby/It Had To Be You,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves a Piano

The playlist of the week of May 12, 2019, is Tony Loves a Piano. Some of Bennett’s finest recordings have been made with just Tony and a pianist. This week we honor some of the best of those recordings.

Tony Loves a Piano

Some of Tony Bennett's finest recordings have been with only Tony and a pianist. This week we honor some of the best of those recordings.

My Foolish Heart (Victor Young and Ned Washington) with Bill Evans
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart) with Ralph Sharon
Cold, Cold Heart (Hank Williams) with John Bunch
Some Other Time (Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green and Betty Comden) with Bill Evans
The Man That Got Away (Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin) with Ralph Sharon
A Sleepin’ Bee (Harold Arlen and Truman Capote) with Ralph Sharon
Dream Dancing (Cole Porter) with Bill Evans
One For My Baby (by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer)/It Had To Be You (Isham Jones, Gus Kahn) with John Bunch
We’ll Be Together Again (Carl T. Fischer and Frankie Laine) with Bill Evans

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