The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, is “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin in 1933 for the movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although many artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby in 1944), this song is strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, Mitch Miller heard his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” 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; it was his first recording for Columbia Records. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement. “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “I Wanna Be Loved,” which were recorded in the same session, were released on a 78RPM record on May 22, 1950.

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

We also have this video of Tony Bennett singing “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” from 1959 (though I think the date might be earlier than that). The image is poor, but the sound quality is good.

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About Today

We are celebrating one of America’s greatest lyricists: John Herndon Mercer, born in Savannah, Georgia on November 19, 1909. In addition to being a lyricist, he was also a composer, singer, and record company executive as a co-founder of Capitol Records.

You can read about Johnny Mercer at johnnymercer.org.

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written by Johnny Mercer (music and lyrics) and Sadie Vimmerstedt (lyrics).

The story of “I Wanna Be Around” is legendary in the music business. Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was angered when Frank Sinatra left his first wife for Ava Gardner in 1950. 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. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Someone To Love

The song of the day for Sunday, October 12, 2025, is “Someone To Love.”

About This Song

“Someone To Love” was written by Bob Warren in 1943. Warren began his music career soon after graduation from Dartmouth College in 1936. Among his songs were “Someone to Love,” and “Number Ten Lullaby Lane.” As a music arranger, he worked on the Colgate Comedy Hour in the 1950’s and was an arranger for the orchestra leaders Al Goodman and Raymond Paige.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Someone To Love” on October 12, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Someone To Love,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Thursday, September 25, 2025, is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow for the 1930 film Honey, starring Lillian Roth. In addition to recordings by Tony Bennett, other versions include those by Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, and Margaret Whiting.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sing You Sinners” on July 20, 1950, and released it as a single. The recording appears on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, released in 2011 as part of the Complete Collection box set. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Sing You Sinners,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Have I Told You Lately?

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 24, 2025, is “Have I Told You Lately?.”

About This Song

“Have I Told You Lately?” was written by Harold Rome for the 1962 Broadway musical I Can Get It For You Wholesale.

I Can Get It For You Wholesale marked the Broadway debut of the then 19 year old Barbra Streisand in a supporting role of Miss Marmelstein, a secretary. Her audition for the role was so good, that the writers enlarged her role to take better advantage of her prodigious talents. The cast album was recorded by Columbia Records, and Goddard Lieberson had the good sense to sign the young Streisand to a contract and thus Columbia produced her first album, The Barbra Streisand Album, released in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have I Told You Lately?” on January 23, 1962, for his album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Have I Told You Lately?” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco is available on Apple Music.