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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

June 14, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 15, 2016 is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Just One of Those Things” for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Alec Wilder in “American Popular Song” spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfield, in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” in 1957 for this third album The Beat of My Heart. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Just One Of Those Things

Listen to Just One Of Those Things on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.


“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cole Porter, Jubilee, Ralph Sharon, The Beat of My Heart

June 11, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Begin The Beguine

The song of the day for Saturday, June 11, 2016 is “Begin The Beguine.”

About This Song

One of Cole Porter’s most popular songs, “Begin the Beguine” is from the 1935 musical Jubilee. The song has an unusual structure, having a 108 measure length, as opposed to the standard 32-bar structure of most popular music. One of the earliest popular recordings was Artie Shaw’s instrumental in 1938. The middle eastern style of the song is well-served by Shaw’s clarinet solo.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Begin the Beguine” in 1957, with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon; the recording features drummer Jo Jones. The song was originally omitted from Bennett’s album The Beat of My Heart, but was added to the first CD release.

Begin The Beguine

Listen to Begin The Beguine on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.


“Begin The Beguine,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our first video today is from the movie Broadway Melody of 1940 and features the great Fred Astaire and the great Eleanor Powell dancing to our song of the day.

I was a pretty serious clarinet player in high school and adored both Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. I think Shaw’s recording of “Begin the Beguine” is a real masterpiece, so here’s an extra video today.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jo Jones, Jubilee, Ralph Sharon, The Beat of My Heart

November 12, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 12, 2014 is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Just One of Those Things” for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfield, in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” in 1957 for his third album The Beat of My Heart, which featured jazz drummers and percussionists on each song. This song featured Art Blakey.

About Today

I’ve been in Cole Porter mood for the last few days and The Beat of My Heart was the one album I wanted to listen to today. So there you go.

Just One Of Those Things

Listen to Just One Of Those Things on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.


“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Art Blakey, Cole Porter, Jubilee, The Beat of My Heart

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