The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Never Was You

The song of the day for Sunday, April 11, 2021, is “It Never Was You.”

About This Song

“It Never Was You” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, the score of which also included “September Song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded It Never Was You” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

It Never Was You

Listen to It Never Was You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“It Never Was You,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lover Man

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 31, 2021, is “Lover Man.”

About This Song

“Lover Man” was written in 1941 by Jimmy Davis, Roger “Ram” Ramirez, and James Sherman. The song was written for Billie Holiday, and remains most closely associated with her, despite many other fine recordings. Her recording of “Lover Man” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989. Other significant recordings include those by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Evans and Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lover Man” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)

Listen to Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Lover Man,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Holiday’s version:

Lover Man

Listen to Lover Man on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 1958.

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Song of the Day: I’m Comin’ Virginia

The song of the day for Saturday, March 13, 2021, is “I’m Comin’ Virginia.”

About This Song

“I’m Comin’ Virginia” was written in 1926 by Donald Heywood, with lyrics by Will Marion Cook. It was recorded by many of the great jazz performers: Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, and Ruby Braff. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song that it is “.. an unusual and a very good song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Comin’ Virginia” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. It features a great arrangement by Ralph Burns.

I’m Coming Virginia

Listen to I’m Coming Virginia on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“I’m Comin’ Virginia,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Sunday, March 7, 2021, is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed by Victor Young for the film The Uninvited. Ned Washington’s lyrics were added in 1946. The song was recorded in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It found its way as a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell, and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella By Starlight” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. The arrangement was written by Ralph Burns.

Stella By Starlight

Listen to Stella By Starlight on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: More Than You Know

The song of the day for Friday, February 25, 2021, is “More Than You Know.”

About This Song

“More Than You Know” was written in 1929 by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu. The song was written for the Broadway musical Great Day, which only ran for 36 performances. In spite of its poor run on Broadway, the score was considered very good and so it got sold to Hollywood, where it was to be a starring vehicle for Joan Crawford. Eight weeks into production, the film was shut down and was never released. Thankfully, this song remained popular, in many ways thanks to Fanny Brice, who was married to Billy Rose, and sang the song in her performances with the Ziegfeld Follies. It has been widely recorded by jazz and popular artists since it was written.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “More Than You Know” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns.

More Than You Know

Listen to More Than You Know on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“More Than You Know,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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