The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, August 22, 2024, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this recording by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999 for the centennial celebration of Duke Ellington’s birth. The song was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Day Dream,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performane.

Here’s the original recording with Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn on piano:

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Monday, August 19, 2024, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Composer Doris Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” She often wrote with Allan Roberts. She was also a talented singer and performer. Other of her songs include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in June 1996 for the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released. in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangment.

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billy Holiday’s 1945 recording of today’s song: