The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then and Now Is Now

The song of the day for Thursday, January 4, 2024, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee. Miss Peggy Lee released it on her album with the same name in 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now Is Now” on February 18, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now,” 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: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Friday, October 27, 2023, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman, Peggy Lee, and Bill Schluger. It’s one of the several songs that Peggy Lee wrote with Cy Coleman. Miss Lee used as the title song for her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee in Love Again!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m In Love Again” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, arranged by Jorge Calandrelli. In this album, Bennett sings songs associated with the great female singers of the American Songbook, such as Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan, Doris Day, and many others. This recording was for Miss Peggy Lee, who cowrote this song.

“I’m In Love Again,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 2, 2023, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. The recording features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Friday, May 5, 2023, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Peggy Lee, for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. It was arranged and conducted by the composer Johnny Mandel.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then And Now Is Now

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 21, 2023, is “Then Was Then And Now Is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then And Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Peggy Lee, in 1964. Miss Peggy Lee released it on an album with the same name in 1965.

About This Version

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

“Then Was Then And Now Is Now,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set is available on Apple Music.