The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Comes Once In A Lifetime

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 6, 2023, is “Comes Once In A Lifetime.”

About Today

Tony Bennett recorded three songs 62 years ago today on September 6, 1961. They were “Comes Once In A Lifetime,” “Tender is the Night,” and “Candy Kisses.”

About This Song

“Comes Once In A Lifetime” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green in 1961 for the Broadway musical Subways Are For Sleeping. The musical was based on a true story first reported in Harper’s Magazine of well-dressed homeless people who slept on subways in New York. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, it was a favorite song for Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Comes Once In A Lifetime” on September 6, 1961, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released on a 45 single in 1961 and on Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits in 1962.

“Comes Once In A Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Small World

The song of the day for Monday, August 28, 2023, is “Small World.”

About Today

Fifty-five years ago, on August 28, 1962, Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck performed in a concert honoring that year’s White House interns. The concert got so much attention that it had to moved from The White House Rose Garden to the Mall by the Washington Monument. Dave Brubeck, with his trio, performed first, followed by his trio, and ended up with an improv session with Brubeck, with Joe Morello (drums) and Eugene Wright (bass) from Brubeck’s trio.

Today we’re featuring a song from Bennett’s set, with The Ralph Trio (Sharon on drums, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums). William B. Williams, a DJ on New York’s WNEW introduced Tony Bennett and his trio:

About This Song

“Small World” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, in 1959 for the Broadway musical Gypsy. “Small World” is sung by Rose and Herbie, who has the misfortune to fall in love with Rose. Gypsy is arguably the best musical ever written and has been revived many times on Broadway.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Small World” on August 28, 1962, released on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962.

The recording of the concert was long thought lost. Thankfully, it was found in the Columbia/Sony Records archive in the Classical section and finally released on May 28, 2013.

“Small World,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962
 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Thursday, June 29, 2023, is “The Party’s Over.”

About Today

We are remembering Ralph Burns, who arranged all of the songs on Hometown, My Town, on the anniversary of his birth on June 29, 1922. in Newton, Massachusetts. Burns was a gifted composer, pianist, and arranger. After attending The New England Conservatory of Music, he moved to New York and worked with several big bands, including Woody Herman’s band, as an arranger. During his early years, he worked with artists, including Stan Getz, Charlie Barnet, and Tony Bennett. In the 1960s, he began arranging for Broadway shows, such as Chicago, Funny Girl, and Sweet Charity. He worked with Bob Fosse on two of those musicals and orchestrated the scores for several Fosse films, including Cabaret, Lenny, and All That Jazz. He worked steadily until his death in 2001, including several arrangements for Tony Bennett’s 1999 album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Musicianguide.com has an excellent biography and discography of Burns.

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was written in 1956 by Jule Styne, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden, for the musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony Award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” on November 4, 1958, for Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. It was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Comes Once In a Lifetime

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 23, 2023, is “Comes Once In a Lifetime.”

About This Song

“Comes Once In A Lifetime” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, for the 1961 musical Subways Are For Sleeping. The show was based on a true story, first reported in Harper’s Magazine, of well-dressed homeless people who slept on subways in New York. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, it was a favorite song of Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Comes Once In A Lifetime” on September 9, 1961, and was released as a single that year. It was included in the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning.

“Comes Once In a Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Friday, May 19, 2023, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1960 musical Do Re Mi. It 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.

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

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