The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Maybe September

The song of the day for Friday, September 23, 2022, is “Maybe September.”

About This Song

“Maybe September” was written in 1965 by Percy Faith, with lyrics by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, for the movie The Oscar. The song is from the only movie that Tony Bennett acted in, The Oscar, where he played the good guy, an agent named Hymie Kelly. While the film received mixed reviews, this song is terrific and beautifully sung by Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Maybe September” on December 27, 1965, for his 1965 album The Movie Song Album. Larry Wilcox wrote the arrangement.

“Maybe September,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Thursday, July 28, 2022, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” on June 6, 1956, and released in 1957 on the album Tony. It was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Monday, July 25, 2022, is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written in 1930 by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow for the movie Honey, which starred Lillian Roth.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sing You Sinners” on December 15, 1955, and released it as a single the following year. It was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Sing You Sinners,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 4 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Not As A Stranger

The song of the day for June 18, 2022, is “Not As A Stranger.”

About This Song

“Not As A Stranger” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Buddy Kaye in 1954. The song was written for the film that as a stranger released in 1955. It starred Robert Mitchum and Olivia de Havilland; co-stars included Frank Sinatra, Broderick Crawford, and Lee Marvin.
Faith.

“Not As A Stranger,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Volume 3 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 7, 2022, is “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight.”

About This Song

Hank Williams wrote “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight” in 1950. Following on the success of “Cold, Cold Heart,” Tony Bennett recorded this Hank Williams song as well. “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight” has been recorded by Willie Nelson, George Jones and The Drifting Cowboys, in addition to Tony Bennett’s recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight” on December 4, 1953; the song was released as a single in 1954. It was arranged by Percy Faith.

“There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight,” as well as the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 3 is available on Apple Music.

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