The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 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, two homesick San Franciscans.

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 was 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. It was first released as a single; after it became popular it was released on the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, released on June 18, 1962.

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

Here’s Tony singing “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” accompanied by Ralph Sharon, from the Ed Sullivan Show, aired on November 22, 1964.

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Sunday, January 21, 2024, 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 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 his 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: 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.

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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.

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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.