The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Follow Me

The song of the day for Sunday, October 13, 2024, is “Follow Me.”

About Today

Today’s song, “Follow Me,” was recorded 64 years ago on October 13, 1960.

About This Song

“Follow Me” was written by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1960 musical Camelot, based on T. H. White’s The Once and Future King. The song is sung to Arthur by a water nymph.

Camelot was much beloved by John and Jacqueline Kennedy. Over time, the Kennedy presidency became closely associated with Camelot, as, like that of King Arthur, the Kennedy administration promised a new and vibrant future. After Kennedy’s assassination, Mrs. Kennedy said that her husband’s favorite line from Camelot was “Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Follow Me” on October 13, 1960. It was originally released as a single and was later released on Bennett’s 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Hits. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement.

“Follow Me,” as well as Mr. Braodwway, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Comes Once in a Lifetime

The song of the day for Monday, April 22, 2024, is “Comes Once in a Lifetime.”

About This Song

“Comes Once in a Lifetime” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1961 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 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, and was released as a single that same year. The recording was also used for the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Comes Once in a Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, 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.

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Song of the Day: Comes Once In a Lifetime

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 23, 2023, is “Comes Once In a Lifetime.”

About This Song

“Comes Once In A Lifetime” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, for the 1961 musical Subways Are For Sleeping. The show 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 of Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Comes Once In A Lifetime” on September 9, 1961, and was released as a single that year. It was included in the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning.

“Comes Once In a Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Put On A Happy Face

The song of the day for Monday, August 15. 2022, is “Put On A Happy Face.”

About This Song

“Put on A Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 musical Bye, Bye Birdie, based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Put On A Happy Face” on May 6, 1960, with an arrangement by Frank Devol. It was released as a single in 1960 and was added to Bennett’s 1962 compilation of Broadway songs he recorded between 1953 and 1961: Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Put On A Happy Face” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.