The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Thursday, May 29, 2014 is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer wrote “Out Of This World” in 1945 for a movie of the same name. The song was sung in the movie by Bing Crosby, dubbing in for the voice of Eddie Bracken. The first recording of “Out Of This World” was in 1944 by Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and His Orchestra. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney and, of course, Tony Bennett.

Alec Wilder wrote in American Popular Song that this song is “one of Arlen’s most direct and deliberately unrhythmic melodies, and unlike any of his other lyric ballads. …. It is a very strong song, with splendid lyric support in a John Mercer lyric.”

About This Version

I guess I’m on a Johnny Mercer roll … this is the third Mercer song in three day consecutive days and the second written by Harold Arlen. Today’s song is from Bennett’s 1967 album For Once In My Life. The song was arranged and conducted by the wonderfully talented Marion Evans and was recorded in January, 1967.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1lbNdANp7StpkibXrAMjbi
“Out Of This World,” as well as the album For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Remember You

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 28, 2013 is “I Remember You.”

About This Song

“I Remember You” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer in 1942 for the movie The Fleet’s In, where it was introduced by Dorothy Lamour and later reprised by Bob Eberle, Helen O’Connell and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. It is said that Mercer wrote the lyric for Judy Garland, with whom he was said to be in love. The song has been widely recorded over the decades and remains popular today. Notable recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

I know I featured this song not too long ago, but a special person requested it and I always honor requests. In her request, she said “I love the way Tony sings this song.” So do I … so do I. The beautiful arrangement is by Johnny Mandel.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3osJ7xPsn1UhfRVDcHN7zf
“I Remember You,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: This Time The Dream’s On Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 27, 2014 is “This Time The Dream’s On Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1941 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the film Blues In The Night. Arlen and Mercer also wrote the somewhat more well-known title song for the film as well. “This Time The Dream’s On Me” has been recorded by Marian McPartland, Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s song in 1960 for his album dedicated to the work of Harold Arlen called Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. The songs on the album were arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser and the album was produced by Mitch Miller.

http://open.spotify.com/track/32nVwVpaNNg73U4B5KbOrB
“This Time The Dream’s On Me,” as well as the album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Jeepers Creepers

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 14, 2014 is “Jeepers Creepers.”

About This Song

“Jeepers Creepers” was written for the 1938 movie Going Places by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer, which featured Louis Armstrong as a trumpet-playing horse trainer. It has been recorded by Bing Crosby and, of course, Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Jeepers Creepers” for his 1959 album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie/Bennett. The songs on the album were arranged by Ralph Sharon and produced by Teddy Reig. I have a strong fondness for this album because it’s just so much fun to listen to, not in the least because of this particular song.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3ZrWSg01u6dfXiNnMjT3hv
“Jeepers Creepers,” as well as the songs on Basie/Bennett, is available on iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Saturday, May 10, 2014 is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmerstedt. Ms. Vimmerstedt, who was a big fan of Johnny Mercer, came up one day with the line “I wanna be around, to pick up the pieces, when somebody breaks your heart.” She thought it sounded like a Johnny Mercer lyric, so she wrote a letter addressed to Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, Los Angeles, CA. The letter reached Mercer who agreed with her, to the point that he decided to not only finish the lyric but to write the music as well. Mercer set up a 50-50 split of the royalties with Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a quite well-to-do woman. And together, they gave us a really great song. Even though Aretha Franklin recorded the song first, in 1962, Tony Bennett’s 1963 version is by far the most famous and well-regarded version ever recorded.

About This Version

Bennett recorded “I Wanna Be Around” in October 1962 and released it in 1963 on his album of the same name. This album is treasure: it also has “The Good Life” and many other excellent songs.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1smChL3Aq1U9DZA83LuDtp
“I Wanna Be Around,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

Today is not only another YouTube Saturday, but is also the birthday of Bono, who was born on May 10, 1960. To help celebrate his birthday, we’re happy to present this video of Tony and Bono recording “I Wanna Be Around” from the album Duets: An American Classic.