The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Sunday, November 5, 2017 is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for Judy Garland to sing in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. 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.The song 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.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Listen to Somewhere over the Rainbow on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Over the Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

I’m also pleased to present this lovely and timeless video of Yip Harburg talking about and singing today’s song.

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Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Saturday, June 10, 2017 is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written for Judy Garland for the 1954 version of A Star Is Born by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin. Garland’s 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 for the album Tony Sings For Two.

The Man That Got Away

Listen to The Man That Got Away on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today, we honor the great Judy Garland, who was born on June 10, 1922. And, as it is YouTube Saturday, I’m happy to present her performance of today’s song from the 1954 film A Star Is Born.

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From A Star Is Born. Pure Judy Garland Talent.

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Monday, May 8, 2017 is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

Written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1939, “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.The song 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” 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett sang songs associated with the greatest female singers of the 20th century, including Margaret Whiting, Lena Horne and Billie Holiday. “Over The Rainbow” is, of course, for his friend Judy Garland.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Listen to Somewhere over the Rainbow on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

About Today

I absolutely adore Yip Harburg. I think you will too after watching this little film:

Here’s Judy’s version from her legendary concert at Carnegie Hall in 1961:

Over The Rainbow - Live At Carnegie Hall/1961

Listen to Over The Rainbow - Live At Carnegie Hall/1961 on Spotify. Song · Judy Garland · 1961

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Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Saturday, January 7, 2017 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 song and dance performance 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 did the arrangement.

Get Happy

Tony Bennett · Yesterday I Heard The Rain · Song · 1968


“Get Happy,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our Saturday video, Judy Garland’s great production number of “Get Happy” from the 1950 film Summer Stock.

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Today is the seventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
The song of the day for Tuesday, December 20, 2016 is “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written by Hugh Martin for the 1944 Judy Garland film 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 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.” It’s a lovely arrangement.

I grew up in the same town as Hugh Martin: Birmingham, Alabama and we both attended the same liberal arts college, Birmingham-Southern College. He used to visit the music department on campus whenever he was came home to visit and was always so gracious and encouraging to students, including your author.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

As a special treat today, here is a 21-year-old Judy Garland singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to Margaret O’Brien. Just a little setup: the father of the family has accepted a promotion in his job which means relocating the family to New York. This is especially hard news on the youngest child, played by Miss O’Brien. No worries … they stay in St. Louis and all is well. Miss O’Brien won a special Juvenile Academy Award for her performance.

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