The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Sunday, July 2, 2023, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” on June 6, 1956. It was released on Bennett’s album, Tony, released in 1957. It was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith. Bennett was joined on this album by guitarist Chuck Wayne, whom he worked with on Cloud 7; on Tony, Wayne provides a wonderful guitar accompaniment to “Lost in the Stars.”

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Thursday, July 27, 2017 is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson. The song is from the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton: Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Today I’m featuring Bennett’s first recording of “Lost In The Stars,” recorded in 1956 for the album Tony. The album was produced by Mitch Miller and arranged by Percy Faith.

While Miller insisted on Bennett recording pop and novelty songs, Bennett had earned more authority over his albums. This recording of “Lost in the Stars” is one example of Bennett reaching out beyond the limits of the singles recorded at Columbia.

Lost In the Stars

Listen to Lost In the Stars on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957


“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Lost In The Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, January 1, 2016 is “Lost In The Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson is from the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

This song is a favorite of Tony Bennett and he’s recorded it several times; some may remember this song was used at the end of The Zen Of Bennett, which is you haven’t seen it, I strongly recommend that you do (it’s on Netflix streaming, by the way).

Today’s version was recorded in 1958 for his 1959 album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person! The fine arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Lost In The Stars

Listen to Lost In The Stars on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


“Lost In The Stars,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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July 18 2012

Lost in the Stars

Nelson Mandela was born on this day in 1918. In honor of his birthday, today’s Song of the Day is Lost in the Stars, from the musical of the same name, with music by Kurt Weill and book and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. Based on Alan Paton’s book Cry The Beloved Country (written in 1948), the musical was produced on Broadway in 1949 and was Mr. Weill’s last work.  Lost in the Stars movingly tells the story of apartheid in South Africa.

Mr. Bennett’s recordings of this song are all wonderful. We feature this song from the album Tony, recorded in 1957. He also sang it beautifully in his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert.