The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Out of This World

The song of the day for Sunday, July 19, 2026 is “Out of This World.”

About This Song

“Out of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of “Out of This World”, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out of This World” on October 15, 1964, with an outstanding jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums).

“Out of This World,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Just Friends

The song of the day for Sunday, October 15, 2023, is “Just Friends.”

About This Song

“Just Friends” was written by John Klenner and Sam M. Lewis in 1934. It’s been a popular jazz standard, including vocal versions by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, and Chet Baker. The song, both the music and the lyrics, seem more modern than most songs written in the early 1930s and for that reason, it has received interesting jazz treatments and found itself quite at home with bebop stylings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just Friends” on October 15, 1964 (59 years ago today), with an amazing jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). This recording and several other recordings made with this quartet remained unreleased until 2012 when they were included in Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, which was included in Bennett’s Complete Collection box set.

“Just Friends,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.