The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: A Beautiful Friendship

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 5, 2022, is “A Beautiful Friendship.”

About This Song

“A Beautiful Friendship” was written in 1956 by the songs of two great American songwriters. The composer, Donald Kahn, was the son of lyricist Gus Kahn and the lyricist, Stanley Styne, was the son of composer Jule Styne. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording, “A Beautiful Friendship” has been recorded by Duke Ellington and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Beautiful Friendship” on January 27, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen! It was arranged by Marion Evans.

“A Beautiful Friendship,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 4, 2022, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington as an instrumental with the title “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 recorded “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” on January 27, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen. Marion Evans wrote the very fine arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: I Let a Song Go Out My Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, October 2, 2022, is “I Let a Song Go Out My Heart.”

About This Song

“I Let a Song Go Out My Heart” was written by Duke Ellington in 1938, with lyrics by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. It was a major hit for Duke Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were also made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song one of his eleven favorites of the songs he wrote.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let a Song Go Out My Heart” on January 27, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“I Let a Song Go Out My Heart,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Country Girl

The song of the day for Thursday, September 29, 2022, is “Country Girl.”

About This Song

“Country Girl” was written in 1966 by Robert Farnon and was based on the Wordsworth poem The Solitary Reaper for the Eurovision Song Contest; it came in third. All I can say is that those other two songs must have been phenomenal because “Country Girl” is one of the most beautiful and touching songs that I have ever heard.

When Farnon died in 2007, Tony Bennett sang “Country Girl” at his memorial service.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Country Girl” on November 26, 1966, with an arrangement by Marion Evans. The song was released on Bennett’s 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen!

“Country Girl,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What Makes It Happen

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 28, 2022, is “What Makes It Happen.”

About This Song

“What Makes It Happen” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn for the 1966 Broadway musical Walking Happy. Van Heusen and Cahn were nominated for the Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist, but lost to John Kander and Fred Ebb who wrote Cabaret.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Makes It Happen” on November 26, 1966, for his album Tony Makes It Happen!. Friend of the blog, Marion Evans, conducted and wrote the arrangement.

“What Makes It Happen,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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