The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Just In Time

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 26, 2022, is “Just In Time.”

About This Song

“Just In Time” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing, where it was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin. Holliday and Dean Martin sang it in the 1960 film version of Bells Are Ringing.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just In Time” in 1956 and released it as a single that year. In 1962, it was added to Mr. Broadway. The song was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith.

“Just In Time,” as well as Mr. Broadway is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Comes Once In A Lifetime

The song of the day for Thursday, February 1, 2018 is “Comes Once In A Lifetime.”

About This Song

“Comes Once in a Lifetime” is from the 1961 musical Subways Are For Sleeping, with a musical score by Jule Styne and the lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. The musical was based on a true story first reported in Harper’s Magazine about 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 9, 1961. It was released as a single that year and was also included on the album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, released on March 16, 1962. The arrangement was done by Marty Manning.

Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits was the first album that Tony Bennett released in 1962.

Comes Once In A Lifetime

Listen to Comes Once In A Lifetime on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“Comes Once In A Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Stranger In Paradise

The song of the day for Monday, October 13, 2014 is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger In Paradise” is the hit song from the 1953 Broadway musical Kismet. The song is based on music from Polovtsian Dances in Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, with lyrics added by Robert Wright and George Forrest. The song was introduced in the production by The Caliph, originally played by Richard Kiley, who would go on to play the title role in The Man of La Mancha.

About This Version

In 1953 as Kismet was preparing to open, New York was in the middle of a big newspaper strike. Television was still new to many households and programming was limited. What everyone did have, of course, was a radio. The producers of Kismet approached Columbia and asked if Tony Bennett could record “Stranger in Paradise” to help generate interest in their new production. The song was a hit for Bennett and helped Kismet become a major hit on Broadway, where it ran for 583 performances and won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

About Today

“Stranger in Paradise” was recorded 61 years ago today on October 13, 1953. You can click on the date to read about the recording session, which was held at the famed CBS 30th Street Studio.

Stranger in Paradise

Listen to Stranger in Paradise on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“Stranger in Paradise,” as well the album Mr. Broadway, is available from iTunes.