The song of the day for Friday, February 7, 2020, is “Once Upon a Time.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Time” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1962 Ray Bolger musical All American, where it was introduced by Bolger and Eileen Herlie. While the musical was not a major smash hit, the song is quite lovely. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording, it was also recorded by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Howard Keel, Bobby Darrin, and Mandy Patinkin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon a Time” in 1962, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. In fact, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was recorded at the same session, also arranged by Marty Manning. It was decided to release the two songs on a 45 RPM single, with “Once Upon a Time” on the A-side; the thought was that “Once Upon a Time” might help sell the San Francisco song. Well, we all know how that turned out. “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” became the big hit and remains a hit to this day. I’ve been to fair number of Tony Bennett concerts and the reaction of the audience when Bennett sings “I left my heart …” is always an audible sound of love.

These two songs, as well as a number of other recordings by Bennett, were released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

“Once Upon a Time,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from iTunes.