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, June 25, 2017 is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

“It Was Me” was written by Gilbert Becaud in 1960 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” in 1962 for his great album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. This recording was also used on the 1971 album Summer of ’42. 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 from iTunes.

In 2009, Tony Bennett named this as his favorite summer song on NPR; you can listen to the interview here.

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Song of the Day: Watch What Happens

The song of the day for Sunday, April 23, 2017 is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” is from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. It was composed by Michel Legrand; the original French lyrics were by Jacques Demy, who directed thee film, and the English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of the song, other than the film soundtrack, and the first in English.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Watch What Happens” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set. The arrangement was by Don Costa.

Watch What Happens

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


“Watch What Happens,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

About Today

My apologies for forgetting YouTube Saturday. But I do have a nice video of this song from the film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

Enjoy!

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Song of the Day: Watch What Happens

The song of the day for Saturday, September 24, 2016 is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” is from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Michel Legrand wrote the score and director Jacques Demy wrote the lyrics. The English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of the song, other than the film soundtrack, as well as the first in English.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Watch What Happens” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. The arrangement is by Don Costa.

Watch What Happens

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


“Watch What Happens,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video today,we have the scene from Les Parapluies de Cherbourg where this song is sung. Your bloggers are especially fond of the wallpaper.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 16, 2016 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Written in 1963, Antonio Carlos Jobim based “How Insensitive” on Chopin’s “Prelude No. 4.” This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore, Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording. The English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel.

About This Version

I couldn’t let another day of the Rio Olympics go by without paying homage to the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Today’s song was recorded by Tony Bennett in 1965 for his wonderful album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. The arrangement is by Don Costa.

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 iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Was Me

The song of the day for Wednesday,July 6, 2016 is “It Was Me.”

About This Song

“It Was Me” was written 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 as his favorite summer song on NPR; you can listen to the interview here.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Was Me” in 1962 for his great album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. This recording was also used on the 1971 album Summer of ’42.

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 from iTunes.

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