The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Sunday, July 28, 2024, is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

“It Was Me” was written in 1960 by Gilbert Bécaud, with French lyrics by Maurice Vidalin and English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. Named “C’etait Moi” in the original French, it’s a beautiful love song that brings memories of summers past and maybe, those to come.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” on December 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“It Was Me,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

In 2009, Tony Bennett gave an interview on NPR as part of their series on people’s favorite summer songs, which for Bennett was “It Was Me.” Here’s that interview.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 10, 2023, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive” was written in 1963 by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; the English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel.T his song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” on February 18, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 1, 2023, is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

“It Was Me” was written in 1960 by Gilbert Becaud as “C’etait Moi,” with English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. It’s a beautiful love song that brings memories of summers past and, maybe, to come. In 2009, Tony Bennett named this his favorite summer song in an NPR interview, attached below.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” on December 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“It Was Me,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Tony’s 2009 NPR interview with Melissa Block about his favorite summer song:

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Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Monday, July 26, 2021, is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

“It Was Me” (“C’etait Moi” in the original French) was written in 1960 by Gilbert Bécaud and Maurice Vidalin; Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. It’s a beautiful love song that brings memories of summers past and, maybe, to come. In 2009, Tony Bennett named this as his favorite summer song in an NPR interview.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning did the arrangement.

It Was Me

Listen to It Was Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963

“It Was Me,” as well as I Wanna Be Around is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that 2009 NPR story.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Saturday, May 29, 2021, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive,” or “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese, was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1963. The original Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore!.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

How Insensitive

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965

“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.