The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You’ll Never Get Away From Me

The song of the day for Thursday, March 23, 2023, is “You’ll Never Get Away From Me.”

About This Song

“You’ll Never Get Away From Me” was written by Jule Styne (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) for the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy, starring Ethel Merman as Mama Rose. Gypsy is undoubtedly one of the greatest musicals in history and Merman’s performance is legendary. “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” is sung to Mama Rose by her lover Herbie, played by Jack Klugman in the original production.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” on March 23, 1959, 64 years ago today. It was released in 1959 as a single and in 1962 was included on Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, consisting of songs from Broadway shows. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“You’ll Never Get Away From Me,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Friday, December 9, 2022, is “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

About This Song

“I Fall In Love Too Easily” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the 1945 movie Anchors Away, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost to “It Might As Well Be Spring” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is a well-respected jazz standard, with recordings by Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Anita O’Day, and Johnny Hartman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Fall In Love Too Easily” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Sinatra’s recording of today’s song from 1945:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 7, 2022, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. It was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.”Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Perfectly Frank won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Sinatra’s version 1957 recording with the Nelson Riddle arrangement:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 8, 2022, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1960 Broadway musical Do Re Mi. Do Re Mi concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the jukebox business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Make Someone Happy” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977 on Bennett’s Improv label.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Home Is The Place

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 11, 2022, is “Home Is The Place.”

About This Song

“Home Is The Place” was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim in 1960. After their collaboration on the brilliant musical Gypsy, Styne expressed an interest in continuing their work together, resulting in two songs: “Home Is The Place” and “Come Over Here.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Home Is The Place” on April 16, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Home Is The Place,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites