The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Have I Told You Lately

The song of the day for Sunday, April 24, 2022, is “Have I Told You Lately.”

About This Song

“Have I Told You Lately” was written in 1962 by Harold Rome for I Can Get It For You Wholesale, which marked the Broadway debut of the then 19-year-old Barbra Streisand in the 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” in 1962, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

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

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Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Saturday, April 23, 2022, is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Dietel and Jack Reardon. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” the song was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Though the song is widely identified with Tony Bennett, other fine recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carman 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” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

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

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Song of the Day: Once Upon A Time

The song of the day for Friday, February 4, 2022, is “Once Upon A Time.”

About This Song

“Once Upon A Time” was written in 1962 by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1962 Ray Bolger musical All American, where it was introduced by Bolger and Eileen Herlie. While the musical was not a major smash hit, the song is quite lovely. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording, it was also recorded by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Howard Keel, Bobby Darrin, and Mandy Patinkin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon A Time” in 1962 for the album I Left My In San Francisco. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Once Upon A Time,” as well as I Left My In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Thursday, February 3, 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 “I Wanna Be Around” 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” in 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.

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Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Thursday, August 12, 2021, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was composed in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay, with French lyrics bby Eddie Marnay. Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics. Blossom Dearie recorded the first English version of “Once Upon a Summertime” in 1958 for her album of the same name. 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” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangment.

Once Upon A Summertime

Listen to Once Upon A Summertime on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963

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

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