The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Wished On The Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, June 16, 2024, is “I Wished On The Moon.”

About This Song

“I Wished On The Moon” was written in 1935 by Ralph Rainger and Dorothy Parker (yes, that Dorothy Parker). This song was first recorded in 1935 by Ruth Etting. Bing Crosby sang in The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Art Pepper, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wished On The Moon” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“I Wished On The Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Billie Holiday’s 1995 recording of “I Wished On The Moon.” She sings the seldom-heard verse, as did Tony Bennett on his recording:

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Song of the Day: A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

The song of the day for Saturday, June 15, 2024, is “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet.”

About This Song

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” was written by Harry Woods and Gus Kahn in 1932. This song was first recorded by Ruth Etting the year it was written. Other significant recordings include those by Al Bowlly with the Ray Noble Orchestra, The Lennon Sisters, and Nat “King” Cole

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” on May 16, 1989, and was released the following year on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 4, 2024, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman, Peggy Lee, and Bill Schluger. This is one of the several songs that Peggy Lee wrote with Cy Coleman. Miss Lee used it as the title song for her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m In Love Again” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. For this album he recorded songs associated with the great 20th century female singers; this song was recorded for Miss Peggy Lee. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“I’m In Love Again,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Friday, May 24, 2024, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Norah Jones recorded “Speak Low” in 2011 for Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Speak Low,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video of “Speak Low” from Duets II:

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Saturday, May 4, 2024, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About Today

We’re remembering Douglass Cross, who wrote the lyrics to “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” was born 104 years ago on May 4, 1920.

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1953 by Douglass Cross and George Cory.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters constantly gave Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience

After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance, and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 2006 with Bill Charlap on piano for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett won the Record of the Year Grammy Award in 1962 for his initial recording of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”