The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1930 for Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” While the reviewers were not kind to the production, the score was then, and remains still, quite noteworthy. Louis Armstrong recorded the song in May 1930. The song became popular again in 1936, with a fine recording by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959) and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2022 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong. Rob Mathes and Lee Musicker wrote the arrangement.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Louis Armstrong recorded “Exactly Like You” on May 4, 1930. Here’s that recording:

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 11, 2024, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” One of the early recordings was by Louis Armstrong, followed by a fine recording in 1936 by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959), and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album of songs associated with Louis Armstrong, A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Because of You

The song of the day for Thursday, November 2, 2023, is “Because of You.”

About Today

We are celebrating the birthday of k.d. lang, who was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on November 2, 1961. In fact, k.d. lang is the reason I became such a devout Tony Bennett fan. I’d been a fan of hers since her album Angel with a Lariat, released in 1987. So, when she and Tony Bennett released What a Wonderful World in 2002, I couldn’t wait to go out and buy it. I’d always liked Tony Bennett (my parents wore out If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set when I was in junior high school), but this collaboration of k.d. and Tony was just perfect. So, thank you k.d. lang, for my musical education.

About This Song

“Because Of You” was written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein (Oscar Hammerstein II’s uncle) and Dudley Wilkinson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett originally recorded “Because of You” on April 4, 1951, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith. In his autobiography The Good Life, Bennett wrote about this recording:

By the spring of 1951, I was told that if I didn’t get a hit soon I’d be dropped from the label. I went into Percy’s office and he said, “In this next session you really have to deliver. We have only three songs ready, so we need another song.” I remember that he looked through a bunch of sheet music on his desk, grabbed a song, and said, “Well let’s do this one.” That song was “Because of You. I was doing a lot of dramatic singing on my early records like “Sing You Sinners” and “Boulevard,” but Percy said to me, “Just relax. Use your natural voice and sing the song.” I took his advice.

Tony and k.d. lang recorded “Because of You” on February 10, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Because of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

k.d. lang spoke about Tony Bennett after his death on July 21, 2023:

I found out that Tony passed on the Friday morning. It was to be expected, of course, but as with a parent or an elderly friend, you can’t fathom that it is going to be an actuality. On Friday afternoon I got a call asking me to come to Los Angeles to record for CBS Sunday Morning. I hadn’t sung for three years. Of course I was going do it – it’s what he would have expected. But I was reluctant. I thought I should sing “What a Wonderful World” because I could pull it off easier. I put my foot down in true diva style. But when I got to LA, I heard that “Because of You” was the last song he sang, a couple of days before his passing, and that it was his first hit song. I realised: this is really important to his family. I quickly got my shit together and switched gears. It felt like it was an offering to Tony and his family.

Here’s that recording. k.d. lang’s proceeds from the recording benefit the Tony Bennett Legacy Fund.

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Song of the Day: Dream A Little Dream Of Me

The song of the day for Friday, August 4, 2023, is “Dream A Little Dream Of Me.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to celebrate the great Louis Armstrong, who was born in New Orleans, LA on August 4, 1901.

About This Song

“Dream A Little Dream Of Me” was written in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra. The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong first recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting of songs associated with Louis Armstrong.

“Dream A Little Dream Of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blue Velvet

The song of the day for Saturday, February 25, 2023, is “Blue Velvet.”

About This Song

“Blue Velvet” was written in 1950 by Bernie Williams and Lee Morris. Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Blue Velvet” was the first recording of the song and was one of his early hits for Columbia.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Blue Velvet” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Blue Velvet,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here are Tony and k.d. lang from the recording session: