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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 21, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Sunday, January 22, 2023, is “Firefly”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1958 as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy (which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kermit the Frog recorded “Firefly” in June 1998 for the album The Playground.

“Firefly” as well as The Playground is available on Apple Music. .

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, Kermit the Frog, The Playground, Tony Bennett

October 18, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Sunday, October 18, 2015 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. It was written as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy; this was after Ethel Merman rejected the producer’s choice of a relatively young Stephen Sondheim to write the music and lyrics. The composing duties went to the great Jule Styne, who did insist on Sondheim for the lyrics.

About Today

It’s Sunday and hopefully most of us have a little extra time to listen to more than one recording today.

About These Versions

This song must be a favorite of Bennett’s as he’s recorded it six times, from 1958 to 2014!

There are two recordings from 1958: first as a single arranged by Ray Ellis and later that year with Count Basie, which is probably my favorite version of them all. Next up are two live recordings: 1962 at Carnegie Hall and 1964 at The Sahara. Finally are our two duet versions: 1998 with Kermit The Frog and 2014 with Lady Gaga. There’s a lot to choose from today!

1958-1

Firefly

Listen to Firefly on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2011.


“Firefly,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 5, is available from iTunes.

1958-2

Tony Bennett – Firefly

“Firefly,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

1962

Firefly - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Firefly - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“Firefly,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

1964

Firefly - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964

Listen to Firefly - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.


“Firefly,” as well as Tony Bennett Live at The Sahara: From This Moment On, is available from iTunes.

1998

Firefly

Listen to Firefly on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1998.


“Firefly,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.

2014

Firefly

Listen to Firefly on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2014.


“Firefly,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Carolyn Leigh, Cheek to Cheek, Count Basie, Cy Coleman, In Person!, Kermit the Frog, Lady Gaga, The Playground, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On

August 12, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Firefly

It’s a beautiful summer day and today is about joyful and happy songs. Thus, the Song of the Day for August 12, 2012 is Firefly.

About Firefly

Firefly was written by Cy Coleman (music) and Carolyn Leigh (lyrics) in 1958. Originally, it was written as an  audition piece for the planned musical Gypsy and was intended to be sung by Baby June in Act One.  Gypsy was given to Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim and was, and remains, one of the greatest American musicals ever written. Thankfully, the song Firefly survived and was recorded by Tony in 1959 for In Person! With Count Basie and His Orchestra. He also has a sweet and funny duet of this song with Kermit the Frog on The Playground, his children’s album from 1998. Kermit swings pretty good for a frog.

About This Version

Today’s version of Firefly is from Tony’s extraordinary 1962 Carnegie Hall concert.  You can hear the audience enjoying it as much I do.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Carolyn Leigh, Count Basie, Cy Coleman, Kermit the Frog

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