The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 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” on August 6, 1954, for his first LP album, Cloud 7, which was released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne, who also played guitar on the album.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Comes Once in a Lifetime

The song of the day for Monday, April 22, 2024, is “Comes Once in a Lifetime.”

About This Song

“Comes Once in a Lifetime” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1961 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 Bennett’s recording, it was a favorite song for Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Comes Once in a Lifetime” on September 9, 1961, and was released as a single that same year. The recording was also used for the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. It was arranged 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: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Thursday, February 22, 2024, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was written by Jule Styne, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the 1956 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 his album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. The album 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: Time After Time

The song of the day for Saturday, November 4, 2023, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Syne and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song 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 for his album in tribute to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

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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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