The song of the day for Thursday, July 27, 2017 is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson. The song is from 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

Today I’m featuring Bennett’s first recording of “Lost In The Stars,” recorded in 1956 for the album Tony. The album was produced by Mitch Miller and arranged by Percy Faith.

While Miller insisted on Bennett recording pop and novelty songs, Bennett had earned more authority over his albums. This recording of “Lost in the Stars” is one example of Bennett reaching out beyond the limits of the singles recorded at Columbia.