The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, May 16, 2026, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written in 1960 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 for his album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Monday, May 4, 2026, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written by George Cory and Douglass Cross, who was born 106 years ago on May 4, 1920. Cory and Cross were a gay couple, who met while serving in the Army during World War II, where they wrote shows for their fellow servicemen. After the war, they moved to New York to launch their career as songwriters.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance and in January, 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, I Left My Heart in San Francisco started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans. The San Francisco Giants play Bennett’s recording after every winning home game.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” on January 23, 1962, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released as a single and was the basis for the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco, released in June 1962.

In 1963, Tony Bennett won two Grammy Awards:

  1. Record of the Year”
  2. Best Solo Performance, Male

Marty Manning won the 1963 Grammy Award for Best Background Arrangement for “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett appeared on the Judy Garland television show and they sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” It was just perfect.

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Song of the Day: I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

The song of the day for Friday, April 17, 2026, is “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About Today

Seventy-six years ago today on April 17, 1950, Tony Bennett recorded 3 songs at his first recording session at Columbia Records. Those songs were “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “I Wanna Be Loved,” and today’s song “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About This Song

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the Blackbirds of 1928, produced by Lew Leslie. The song was the first big hit for this songwriting pair. It has been a widely recorded jazz and popular standard, with recordings by Ukulele Ike, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Anita O’Day, and many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” on April 17, 1950, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was soon released as a 78 RPM single.

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” as well as The Columbia Singles Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart In San Francisco

The song of the day for Thursday, March 19, 2026, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience.

After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” on January 23, 1962, which was released as a single. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. The song was added to the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, which was released in June 1962.

Tony Bennett won two Grammy Awards at the 5th Annual Grammy Awards for “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

  • Record Of The Year
  • Best Solo Performance, Male

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

Tony Bennett sang “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” at every concert of his I attended. I’m 99% sure he sang it at every concert he gave after winning the record of the year Grammy Award.

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

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Song of the Day: The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Friday, March 13, 2026, is “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1934 movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is very strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” on April 17, 1950, at his very first recording session after he signed with Columbia Records. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as The Columbia Singles Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.