The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Monday, January 15, 2024, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written for the 1967 film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Michel Legrand, with the original French lyrics by Jacques Demy; the English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

I found this clip from Les Demoiselles de Rochefort where today’s song (“La Chanson de Maxence”) is sung. Click here to view the clip on YouTube.

I also found this recording of Tony Bennett singing today’s song live, with Michel Legrand on piano and with John Williams conducting.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 10, 2024, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1982 movie Best Friends. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 26, 2023, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

Written in 1987, “Where Do You Start” is one of the great songs from the Bergmans with a beautiful melody by Johnny Mandel. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel, who composed today’s song, wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 12, 2023, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written in 1967 by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song was originally written for Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 for their 1968 album Look Around. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 for his album The Art of Excellence. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellenced, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Thursday, November 23, 2023, is “Where Do You Start.”

About Today

We are happy to celebrate the late Johnny Mandel, who was born on November 23, 1925, and died on June 29, 2020. Mandel was a composer of popular songs, film music, and jazz. He frequently collaborated with Tony Bennett, most memorably on the 1966 The Movie Song Album. He also wrote the theme song for the film (and later television show) M*A*S*H*, “Suicide is Painless.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was composed by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman in 1987. The song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. (An aside here: whenever I’ve introduced someone to Tony Bennett, I start by giving them this album. It creates a new fan each time.). Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.