The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Samba De Orfeo

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, is “Samba De Orfeo.”

About This Song

“Samba De Orfeo” was written by Luiz Bonfá for Black Orpheus (Orgeu Negro). The film, based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, is set in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. The film was an international project, with production companies from Brazil, France and Italy. It won the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the Palme d’Or from the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to this song from Luiz Bonfá, the film also contained several bossa nova songs from Antonio Carlos Jobim.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Samba De Orfeo” on December 28, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. Luiz Bonfá wrote the arrangement.

“Samba De Orfeo,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Samba de Orfeu

The song of the day for Saturday, June 22, 2024, is “Samba de Orfeu.”

About This Song

“Samba de Orfeu” was written by Luiz Bonfá for the great 1959 film, Black Orpheus (Orgeu Negro). The film, based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, is set in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. The film was an international project, with production companies from Brazil, France, and Italy. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the Palme d’Or from the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to this song from Luiz Bonfá, the film also contained several bossa nova songs from Antonio Carlos Jobim.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Samba de Orfeu” on December 29, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. It was arranged by the composer, Luiz Bonfá.

“Samba de Orfeu,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Samba de Orfeu

The song of the day for Sunday, November 5, 2023, is “Samba de Orfeu.”

About This Song

“Samba de Orfeu” was written by Luiz Bonfá for he great 1959 film, Black Orpheus (Orgeu Negro). The film, based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, is set in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. The film was an international project, with production companies from Brazil, France and Italy. It won the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the Palme d’Or from the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to this song from Luiz Bonfá, the film also contained several bossa nova songs from Antonio Carlos Jobim.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Samba de Orfeu” on December 28, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. Composer Luiz Bonfá wrote the arrangement.

“Samba de Orfeu,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Goes to the Movies

The playlist of the week for May 19, 2019, is Tony Goes to the Movies.

Tony Bennett has recorded many songs from films. These are some of my favorites.

Tony Goes to the Movies

Tony has recorded many songs from films.

If I Only Had a Brain by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg from The Wizard of Oz
The Shadow of Your Smile by Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster from The Sandpiper
Steppin’ Out With My Baby by Irving Berlin from Easter Parade
Days of Wine and Roses by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer from Days of Wine and Roses
Samba De Orfeo by Luiz Bonfá from Black Orpheus
Emily by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer from The Americanization of Emily
Top Hat, White Tie and Tails by Irving Berlin from Top Hat
Smile by Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, and Geoffrey Parsons from Modern Times
Maybe September by Percy Faith, Jay Livingston, and Ray Evans from The Oscar
Watch What Happens by Michel Legrand, Jacques Demy, and Norman Gimbel from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
The Way You Look Tonight by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields from Swing Time