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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

April 7, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Friday, April 8, 2022, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating one of America’s great lyricists: E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, who was born on April 8, 1896. Known mostly for his work with Harold Arlen, he also wrote lyrics for Vernon Duke, Arthur Schwartz, Burton Lane, and Jerome Kern.

About This Song

“Over The Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1939. Probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s songs, “Over The Rainbow” is from the great Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed downed the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts. It has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song

has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Over The Rainbow” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett recorded songs associated with the 20th century’s greatest women singers. “Over The Rainbow” was, of course, for Judy Garland. The album was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman.

“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Here’s Top The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

As we are honoring Yip Harburg, I have a clip from a 1979 television program special They Wrote The Songs. Yip Harburg was the guest for one episode. The clip is 11 minutes long and I hope you can find the time to watch it. He talks about the importance of music in our lives, and segues into “Over The Rainbow.” Next, he talks about the making of The Wizard of Oz and some of the lyrics he wrote. He ends with the story of how he and Harold Arlen wrote one of the greatest songs in the Great American Songbook, “Last Night When We Were Young.”

Here’s Tony Bennett’s recording of “Last Night When We Were Young” from his 1992 album Perfectly Frank.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Holman, Harold Arlen, Judy Garland, Last Night When We Young Last Night, The Wizard of Oz, Tony Bennett, Yip Harburg

December 18, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The song of the day for Sunday, December 19, 2021, the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song. It’s mine too.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas,” which featured The Count Basie Big Band.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

Today we have a clip from Meet Me In St. Louis, with Judy Garland singing today’s song to a very young Margaret Hamilton:

Filed Under: Song of the Day, The 12 Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas Tagged With: A Swingin' Christmas, Hugh Martin, Judy Garland, Meet Me In St. Louis, Ralph Blane, The Count Basie Big Band, Tony Bennett

September 17, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Saturday, September 18, 2021, is “Get Happy.”

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1930 The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful performance of the in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Get Happy

Listen to Get Happy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Get Happy,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that wonderful performance by Judy Garland from Summer Stock:

Get Happy - Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive

Summer Stock (1950) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #SummerStockTo save Jane Falbury"s (Judy Garland) Connecticut farm, Jane"s sister, Abigail (Gloria DeHaven), c...

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Harold Arlen, Judy Garland, Ted Koehler, Tony Bennett, Torrie Zito, Yesterday I Heard The Rain

August 2, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 3, 2021, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett would like to wish Tony Bennett a very happy 95th birthday. This blog and our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, were created out of love for you and your gifts to us as a singer, artist, philanthropist, and humanitarian. Thank you for giving all of your fans so many wonderful recordings and memories.

On this birthday, what other song could we feature than “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” On a side note, the composer of this song, George Cory was also born on August 3.

About This Song

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

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving 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 that 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 “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” on January 23, 1962. It was first released as a single; later that year it would be the anchor of the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

Listen to (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

On July 30, 1963, Tony Bennett appeared on Episode 5 of The Judy Garland Show and sang today’s song.

Judy Garland - Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart In San Francisco

July 30, 1963: Videotaping of "Episode Five" of "The Judy Garland Show" at CBS Television City, Stage 43, Hollywood.Judy"s guests for this episode were Tony...

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Douglass Cross, George Cory, Happy Birthday George Cory, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Judy Garland, Marty Manning, The Judy Garland Show

July 30, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Saturday, July 31, 2021, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland to sing in her 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man That Got Away” in 1959 with Ralph Sharon for the album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1962.

Where or When

Listen to Where or When on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that famous clip from A Star Is Born:

The Man That Got Away - A Star Is Born (1954)

Of course this is the original version that was written for Judy by Harold Arlen for the film A Star Is Born in 1954. Judy Garland is 32 years old here.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Star Is Born, Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin, Judy Garland, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Tony Sings for Two

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