• Home
  • About
    • About This Blog
    • About the Authors
  • Song of the Day
  • Album of the Week
  • Music and Art
    • Tony Live!
    • Music
      • Viva Duets
      • Songs
      • Albums
    • Art
  • And More
    • Collaborator of the Month
    • Songwriter of the Month – 2016
    • News
      • Cheek To Cheek
      • Bennett & Brubeck -The White House Sessions Live 1962
      • Life is a Gift
      • Viva Duets
      • Zen of Bennett
      • Other News
    • About His Collaborators
    • Musings
    • Extras
      • Books
      • Interviews
      • Media
  • The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography

The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 20, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

The song of the day for Saturday, January 21, 2023, is “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive.”

About This Song

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” was written in 1944 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 movie Here Come The Waves, starring Bing Crosby and Betty Hutton.

This charming song was written in the style of a sermon with the message that being positive is the key to happiness. Mercer is said to have heard a sermon by Father Divine, who said “you got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” as well as The Playground is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, The Playground, Tony Bennett

January 16, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 17, 2023, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942, with music by Trummy Young and Jimmy and Mundy, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for the 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that wonderful 1942 recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” by Billie Holiday and Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billie Holiday, Jimmy Mundy, Johnny Mercer, Jorge Calandrelli, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett On Holiday, Trummy Young

December 12, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 13, 2022, is “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road).”

About This Song

“One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Harold Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms” as at 48 bars, it was longer than the standard 32-bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says

The honors must go the lyric. … Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with ‘It’s a quarter to three’!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“One for My Baby (And One More for the Road),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s legendary 1958 recording of “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” with the great Nelson Riddle arrangement from Frank Sinatra Sings for Only The Lonely:

We’ve also got Fred Astaire performing “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” from the 1943 movie The Sky’s the Limit:

And if you’re still with us, Sinatra sang today’s song on an unknown live television program:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett

October 18, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Twilight World

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 19, 2022, is “Twilight World.”

About This Song

“Twilight World” was written in 1957 by the wonderful pianist Marian McPartland, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This ballad has proven to be one of her most enduring and popular songs. The tune itself is a lovely mid-tempo ballad, often played in a bossa nova style. The lyrics by Johnny Mercer are quite good, and the combination makes for a nearly perfect jazz song. Tony Bennett said “well, that song will last forever. It’s a beautiful song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Twilight World” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love. The song was arranged by Robert Farnon.

“Twilight World,” as well as With Love is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Johnny Mercer, Marian McPartland, Robert Farnon, Tony Bennett

September 19, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Days of Wine and Roses

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 20, 2022, is “Days of Wine and Roses.”

About This Song

“Days of Wine and Roses” was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer or the 1962 film of the same name, starring Lee Remick and Jack Lemmon. This movie is arguably the most influential film ever made about alcoholism and the struggles of Remick and Lemmon to stop drinking. There are scenes in this film that I know I will never forget; it is a true masterpiece. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Days of Wine and Roses” on December 29,1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. The arrangement was written by Larry Wilcox.

“Days of Wine and Roses,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Larry Wilcox, The Movie Song Album, Tony Bennett

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 51
  • Next Page »

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites

  • Song of the Day: Where Do You Start
  • Song of the Day: La Vie En Rose
  • Song of the Day: Exactly Like You
  • Song of the Day: The Folks Who Live On The Hill
  • Song of the Day: As Time Goes By
  • Song of the Day: Yesterday I Heard The Rain
  • Home
  • About
  • Song of the Day
  • Album of the Week
  • Music and Art
  • And More
  • The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography

Copyright © 2023 The Year of Tony Bennett · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress