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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 5, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When Joanna Loved Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 6, 2022, is “When Joanna Loved Me.”

About This Song

“When Joanna Loved Me” was written in 1963 by Jack Segal and Robert Wells and is one of Tony Bennett’s more popular songs. When he performed this song, he would introduce it by saying “I love this song so much that I named my first daughter after it.” It’s a lovely ballad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Joanna Loved Me” on September 17, 1963, for the 1964 album The Many Moods of Tony. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“When Joanna Loved Me,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jack Segal, Marty Manning, Robert Wells, The Many Moods of Tony, Tony Bennett

September 3, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: So Long, Big Time!

The song of the day for Sunday, September 4, 2022, is “So Long, Big Time!”

About This Song

“So Long, Big Time!” was written in 1963 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Dory Langdon Previn. One of Arlen’s later songs, “So Long, Big Time!” is about the “player” who’s run out of luck and is giving up the fast life and knows when it’s time to walk away. The Bill Evans Trio and Monica Zetterlund recorded this song in 1964 for the album Waltz For Debby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Long, Big Time!” on September 17, 1963, and was released in 1964 on the album The Many Moods of Tony. Harold Arlen conducted this recording; the arrangement was written by Marty Manning.

“So Long, Big Time!,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Dory Landon Previn, Harold Arlen, Marty Manning, The Many Moods of Tony, Tony Bennett

August 27, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Sunday, August 28, 2022, is Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” on December 19, 1962, and released it in 1962 on the album I Wanna Be Around. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees, I Wanna Be Around, Marty Manning, Tony Bennett

August 24, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Thursday, August 25, 2022, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1959 by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmerstedt. The story of this song is legendary in the music business. Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line “I want to be around to pick up the pieces when somebody breaks your heart” and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer. Mercer wrote the melody himself and completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959 and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the profits to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wanna Be Around” on October 19, 1962, and released the recording in 1963 on the album I Wanna Be Around. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“I Wanna Be Around,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Johnny Mercer, Marty Manning, Sadie Vimmerstedt, Tony Bennett

August 2, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 3, 2022, is “It Was Me.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Tony Bennett a wonderful 96th birthday.

About This Song

“It Was Me” was written in 1960 by Gilbert Becaud as “C’etait Moi,” with English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. It’s a beautiful love song that brings memories of summers past and, maybe, to come. In 2009, Tony Bennett named this his favorite summer song in a 2009 interview on NPR.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” on December 19, 1962; the recording was released in 1963 on the album I Wanna Be Around. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“It Was Me,” as well as I Wanna Be Aro[und is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Tony’s interview with NPR about today’s song:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Gilbert Becaud, I Wanna Be Around, Marty Manning, N<orman Gimbel, Tony Bennett

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