The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 12, 2020, is “The Lady’s In Love With You.”

About This Song

“The Lady’s In Love With You” was composed by Burton Lane, with lyrics by Frank Loesser, for the 1939 film Some Like It Hot (not to be confused with the excellent 1959 Billy Wilder film), where it was introduced by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. It’s been widely recorded, including those by Tony Bennett, Glenn Miller, Margaret Whiting, and Michael Feinstein.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Lady’s In Love With You” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans.

“The Lady’s In Love With You,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Thursday, June 25, 2020, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was introduced in Lew Leslie’s International Revue. It was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! Friend of this site Marion Evans arranged and conducted this song, as well as the entire album.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, June 20, 2020, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this live version of “Old Devil Moon” in 1971 at The Royal Albert Hall in London, backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It uses the Marion Evans arrangement from 1967 for Tony Makes It Happen! The concert was released on the album Get Happy.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Get Happy, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Monday, March 9, 2020, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington; the lyrics by Bob Russell followed later. Originally written as an instrumental, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Bob Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett’s first recording of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was made in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! The excellent arrangement was written by the very excellent Marion Evans.

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 28, 2020, is “I Won’t Dance.”

About Today

We’re honoring the great composer Jerome Kern, who was born 135 years ago this week.

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was originally written in 1934 for a London musical called Three Sisters, though the show was a flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with the new Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Won’t Dance” in 2014 for their album Cheek to Cheek. The great Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“I Won’t Dance,” as well as Cheek to Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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