The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Baby Don’t You Quit Now

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, is “Baby Don’t You Quit Now.”

About This Song

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now” was written in 1967 by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. In the booklet for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett wrote “This song is one of Ella Fitzgerald’s favorites, and a fun song to perform. It was written by Jimmy Rowles and Johnny Mercer. It always runs through my brain.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby Don’t You Quit Now” on November 25, 1968, for his album I Gotta Be Me, released in 1969. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Baby Don’t You Quit Now,” as well as I Gotta Be Me, is available on Apple Music.

Since Tony Bennett mentioned Ella Fitzgerald, I to check out that recording and thought you might enjoy it too; I know I did. She recorded in 1990 for her last studio album, All That Jazz. Harry “Sweets” Edison played the trumpet on this record.

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Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Friday, June 20, 2025, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About Today

Summer is here! Time for swim suits, flip flops, and the beach.

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was written in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay. The original French lyrics were written by Eddy Marnay; Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics. Blossom Dearie recorded the first English version of “Once Upon a Summertime” in 1958 for her album of the same name. Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, and Sarah Vaughan recorded it in 1963, followed by Bill Evans in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon a Summertime” on October 19, 1962, for I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Once Upon a Summertime,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Tangerine

The song of the day for Friday, May 23, 2025, is “Tangerine.”

About Today

We are remembering Helen O’Connell today. She was born on Lima, Ohio on May 23, 1920. She sang on the first recording “Tangerine” with Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra in 1942 and is the singer that Bennett paid tribute to his recording of “Tangerine” on Here’s To The Ladies.

About This Song

“Tangerine” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer for the movie The Fleet’s In, which starred Dorothy Lamour, William Holden, Eddie Bracken and introduced Betty Hutton. The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, with vocalists Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly, made a very successful recording in 1942.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tangerine” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. For this album, Bennett included songs associated with the best female singers of the 20th century. Helen O’Connell was the vocalist associated with “Tangerine.” Bill Holman wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 39th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Tangerine,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1942 recording of “Tangerine” by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with vocalists Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell.

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Song of the Day: Dream

The song of the day for Saturday, April 19, 2025, is “Dream.”

About This Song

“Dream” was written by Johnny Mercer in 1944. It’s one of the rare songs where Mercer wrote both the lyrics and the music; others include “Harlem Butterfly” and “I Wanna Be Around.” This song has been recorded by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, The Pied Pipers, Roy Orbison, and Ringo Starr.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dream” on October 1, 1971; it was released the following year on With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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Song of the Day: Out of This World

The song of the day for Friday, April 4, 2025, is “Out of This World.”

About This Song

“Out of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of “Out of This World”, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out of This World” on October 15, 1964, with an outstanding jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums).

“Out of This World,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.