The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: September Song

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 3, 2025, is “September Song.”

About This Song

“September Song” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, which opened in 1938, starring Walter Huston. Huston had requested to have a solo song in the production, and so Weill and Anderson wrote “September Song” with careful attention to Huston’s limited singing skills. In spite of a limited range, the poignant quality of the lyrics and the charming tune make for a quite pleasant song that has found great popularity among singers, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Lou Reed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “September Song” on November 11, 1959, for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“September Song,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 6, 2025, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical Lost in the Stars. The musical was based on Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton (I was assigned to read this book as a ninth grader in Birmingham, Alabama, during the 1960s; somehow, I doubt this book is being assigned to many students in Alabama these days). The book and the musical were set in South Africa during the height of apartheid. The plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” on December 22, 1958, for the album In Person!, released in 1959, and recorded with Count Basie and His Band. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lost in the Stars” as well as In Person is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 30. 2024, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” on June 6, 1956, for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: September Song

The song of the day for Saturday, September 1, 2024, is “September Song.”

About This Song

“September Song” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, starring Walter Huston. Huston had requested to have a solo song in the production and so Weill and Anderson wrote “September Song” with careful attention to Huston’s limited singing skills. In spite of a limited range, the poignant quality of the lyrics and the charming tune make for a quite pleasant song that has found great popularity among singers, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Lou Reed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “September Song” on November 11, 1959, for his album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

“September Song,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost In The Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 23, 2024, is “Lost In The Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost In The Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Lost In The Stars” on December 22, 1958, for his album with Count Basie and His Band, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lost In The Stars,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.