The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: New York, New York

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 28, 2024, is “New York, New York.”

About This Song

“New York, New York” was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb for the 1977 Martin Scorsese film, New York, New York. It was written for Liza Minelli, who performed it in the movie. It is, for many, the quintessential New York song. The American Film Institute ranked it #31 on the AFIs list of the top 100 songs written for film.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra recorded “New York, New York” in 1993 for Frank Sinatra: Duets, released on Capital Records. The recording was also released on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“New York, New York,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

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Happy 100th Birthday to Frank Sinatra

Songs of the Day

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes the Sinatra family and his fans everywhere a happy 100th birthday to a musical legend: Frank Sinatra.

We’re going to depart from our usual format to share a handful of Sinatra’s recordings that I, personally, do love.

First up is a 1944 song by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn: “Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night of the Week)”

Saturday Night (Is The Lonliest Night Of The Week) - 78rpm Version

Listen to Saturday Night (Is The Lonliest Night Of The Week) - 78rpm Version on Spotify. Song · Frank Sinatra · 2015

From In The Wee Small Hours, released in 1955, is “Last Night When We Were Young” by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg.

Last Night When We Were Young - Remastered

Listen to Last Night When We Were Young - Remastered on Spotify. Song · Frank Sinatra · 1955

The next year, 1956, saw Songs For Swingin’ Lovers, with my favorite of all of his recordings: Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” featuring a brilliant arrangement by Nelson Riddle.

I"ve Got You Under My Skin - Remastered 1998

Listen to I"ve Got You Under My Skin - Remastered 1998 on Spotify. Song · Frank Sinatra · 1956

And finally, by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, “Come Fly With Me,” from the album of the same name, released in 1958.

Come Fly With Me - Remastered 1998

Listen to Come Fly With Me - Remastered 1998 on Spotify. Song · Frank Sinatra · 1958

Well, these are a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them.

And I haven’t forgotten our video.

About Today

By the 1980s, Sinatra was still going strong, performing all over the world, donating much time and money to charity and receiving numerous honors, including a Kennedy Center honor and many more. However, he did collapse on stage in 1986 and it was some time before he returned to performing. His last public performance was in 1995 at an 80th birthday celebration, where he sang a chorus at the end of a celebratory concert.

Frank Sinatra died on May 14, 1998 from a severe heart attack.

Frank Sinatra’s legacy continues and will like continue for many years to come. Sirius XM radio has a jazz vocals station named for him, which features his daughter Nancy frequently. Tony Bennett named the high school for the arts his foundation supports for Frank Sinatra. His music has been with us for nearly 80 years and is still going strong. I can remember a couple of Presidential elections ago where the candidates were asked to name their favorite songs: they each had a Sinatra song on the list. Personally, I love the movies as well: I seldom pass up a chance to watch On The Town or From Here to Eternity. Like us all, he had his flaws and, perhaps, more than most. But the music. As Tony Bennett often sings: ‘The music never ends.’