An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Tuesday, February 11, 2025, is “When Joanna Loved Me.”
“When Joanna Loved Me” was written in 1963 by Jack Segal and Robert Wells.
Tony Bennett recorded “When Joanna Loved Me” on September 17, 1963, for The Many Moods Of Tony, released in 1964. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.
“When Joanna Loved Me,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, January 29, 2025, is “The Good Life.”
“The Good Life” was written by Sacha Distel (who was born 91 years ago on January 29, 1933) and Jack Reardon in 1962. 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.
Tony Bennett recorded “The Good Life” on December 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.
“The Good Life,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, December 11, 2024, is “I Wanna Be Around.”
“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1959 by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmmerstedt.
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, 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.
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.
The song of the day for Saturday, November 23. 2024, is “Someone To Love.”
“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 1950s and was an arranger for the orchestra leaders Al Goodman and Raymond Paige.
Tony Bennett recorded “Someone To Love” on October 19, 1962, for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.
“Someone To Love,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Monday, October 7, 2024, is “I Love You.”
“I Love You” was written in 1944 for the movie Mexican Hayride. Bing Crosby made the first recording, which topped the Billboard charts for five weeks. Porter wrote the song because of a dare made by his friend Monty Woolley, who said that Porter couldn’t write a song with a cliche title like “I Love You” and included the banal sentiment “It’s spring again and birds on the wing again” and be successfull. Porter accepted the challenge and Crosby’s recording topped the charts. Porter did remark that “the superior melody overcame the ordinary lyric.”
Tony Bennett recoreded “I Love You” on January 23, 1962. The song was intended for release for his 1962 album On The Glory Road; however the album was canceled at the last moment. On The Glory Road was finally released in the 2011 Complete Collection box set. This song was arranged by Marty Manning.
“I Love You,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.