The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Friday, October 13, 2023, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About Today

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” 70 years ago today: October 13, 1953.

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written in 1953 by Robert Wright and George Forrest for the Broadway musical Kismet. The song was based on “Gliding Dance of the Maidens” from the opera Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, written in 1890.

“Stranger in Paradise” was the hugely popular song from Kismet. The popularity of Kismet is due in large part to Tony Bennett. At the time Kismet was preparing to open, New York City was having a massive newspaper strike and publicizing the opening of the musical was nearly impossible. The producers asked Tony Bennett to record “Stranger in Paradise” to help promote the production. His version was a hit and so was Kismet.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” on October 13, 1953, and released that same year as a single; the same recording was used on the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. “Stranger In Paradise” was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway” Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Monday, May 30, 2022, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written in 1953 for the musical Kismet by Robert Wright and George Forrest, based on music by Alexander Borodin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” on October 13, 1953, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith, and was released as a single that year. This recording was later included on Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Hits.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as the singles collected on is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You’ll Never Get Away From Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 23, 2022, is “You’ll Never Get Away From Me.”

About This Song

“You’ll Never Get Away From Me” was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim for the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy, starring Ethel Merman as Mama Rose. Gypsy is certainly one of the greatest musicals in history and Merman’s performance is legendary. “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” is sung to Mama Rose by her lover Herbie, played by Jack Klugman in the original production.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” on March 23, 1959, 63 years ago today, and features an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was originally released as a single and was included on Bennett’s 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“You’ll Never Get Away From Me,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Saturday, April 3, 2021, is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written by Jerome Moss and John LaTouche for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple, which uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Lazy Afternoon” in 1957, originally for his album The Beat of My Heart. This recording was also added to his 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

Lazy Afternoon

Listen to Lazy Afternoon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962

“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Hits, is available from Apple Music.

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