The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Daybreak

The song of the day for Thursday, October 24, 2024, is “Daybreak.”

About This Song

“Daybreak” was written in 1925 by Ferde Grofé and Harold Adamson. The song “Daybreak” was part of a classical suite of songs by Ferde Grofé called Mississippi Suite, composed in 1925. Lyricist Harold Adamson took the theme from the final movement and wrote lyrics for it, resulting in the song “Daybreak.” Dinah Washington recorded “Daybreak” for her album I Concentrate On You, released in 1960.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Daybreak” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To the Ladies, which was released on October 24, 1995. Bennett included songs associated with great women singers in the 20th century on this album. “Daybreak” was recorded for Dinah Washington. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

Here’s Dinah Washington’s “Daybreak” from her 1960 album I Concentrate On You:

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Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Friday, October 18, 2024, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About This Song

“Prelude to a Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills. At a time when swing music was popular, Ellington wrote this more ambitious and experimental ballad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude to a Kiss” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. Joel Smirnoff is the featured violinist.

“Prelude to a Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s instrumental recording of “Prelude to a Kiss” from 1938:

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Song of the Day: Why Do People Fall In Love

The song of the day for Sunday, October 6, 2024, is “Why Do People Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“Why Do People Fall In Love” was written ca. 1985 by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Lambert and Potter were a very successful songwriting team in the 1970s and 1980s. They wrote and produced songs for groups including the Four Tops, Dusty Springfield, Santana, Hall and Oates, and Glenn Campbell. Their work with Campbell resulted in a major hit song, “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Why Do People Fall In Love” on January 11, 1986, for The Art of Excellence, which was Bennett’s first album after returning to Columbia Records. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli. This arrangement also includes a small section from the song “People, written for the musical Funny Girl by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.

“Why Do People Fall In Love,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Was Lost, I Was Drifting

The song of the day for Thursday, October 4, 2024, is “I Was Lost, I Was Drifting.”

About This Song

“I Was Lost, I Was Drifting” was written by Bronislaw Kaper and Kim Gannon in 1958 for the 1958 movie, Auntie Mame. Rosalind Russell, who starred in the movie, sang the song, then known as “Drifting.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Was Lost, I Was Drifting” in May 1989 for his album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“I Was Lost, I Was Drifting,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: All Of Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 2, 2024, is “All Of Me.”

About This Song

“All Of Me” was written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. Early recordings included those by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, and Ruth Etting. In his masterful book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia writes ‘The definitive version of “All Of Me” wouldn’t appear for another decade, but when Billie Holiday recorded the song, with tenor saxophonist Lester Young on hand, she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years.’

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of Me” in June 1996 for his album dedicated to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett on Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“All Of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1941 recording of “All Of Me” by Billie Holiday and Lester Young: