The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 28, 2023, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger in 1929. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” on July 20, 1950, with an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released as a single in December 1950.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Saturday, October 7, 2023, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was composed by Johnny Mercer, with lyrics by Sadie Vimmerstedt and Johnny Mercer in 1959.

The “I Wanna Be Around” story 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 yours 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, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.


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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Comes Once In A Lifetime

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 6, 2023, is “Comes Once In A Lifetime.”

About Today

Tony Bennett recorded three songs 62 years ago today on September 6, 1961. They were “Comes Once In A Lifetime,” “Tender is the Night,” and “Candy Kisses.”

About This Song

“Comes Once In A Lifetime” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green in 1961 for the Broadway musical Subways Are For Sleeping. The musical was based on a true story first reported in Harper’s Magazine of well-dressed homeless people who slept on subways in New York. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, it was a favorite song for Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Comes Once In A Lifetime” on September 6, 1961, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released on a 45 single in 1961 and on Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits in 1962.

“Comes Once In A Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 29, 2023, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was written in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay; the French lyrics were written by Eddie Marnay and the English lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer. Blossom Dearie recorded the first English version of “Once Upon a Summertime” in 1958 for her album of the same name. Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, and Sarah Vaughan recorded it in 1963, followed by Bill Evans in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon a Summertime” on October 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Once Upon a Summertime,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 22, 2023, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Distel, with lyrics by Jack Reardon. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” “The Good Life” was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Tony Bennett is the singer most widely identified with “The Good Life;” other good recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, and Stephane Grappelli. It has been said that Distel wrote this song about Bridgette Bardot, who refused Distel’s marriage proposal.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Good Life” on December 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning.

“The Good Life,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites