The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Because of You

The song of the day for Monday, January 1, 2024, is “Because Of You.”

About This Song

“Because of You” was written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson. It was first recorded by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra on December 12, 1940.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Because of You” on April 4, 1951, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith. It was Bennett’s first big hit at Columbia Record, reaching #1 on the Billboard charts and staying there for ten weeks. It was the last song Bennett sang prior to his death on July 21, 2023.

“Because Of You,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Friday, October 13, 2023, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About Today

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” 70 years ago today: October 13, 1953.

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written in 1953 by Robert Wright and George Forrest for the Broadway musical Kismet. The song was based on “Gliding Dance of the Maidens” from the opera Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, written in 1890.

“Stranger in Paradise” was the hugely popular song from Kismet. The popularity of Kismet is due in large part to Tony Bennett. At the time Kismet was preparing to open, New York City was having a massive newspaper strike and publicizing the opening of the musical was nearly impossible. The producers asked Tony Bennett to record “Stranger in Paradise” to help promote the production. His version was a hit and so was Kismet.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” on October 13, 1953, and released that same year as a single; the same recording was used on the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. “Stranger In Paradise” was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway” Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Maybe September

The song of the day for Sunday, September 3, 2023, is “Maybe September.”

About This Song

“Maybe September” was written in 1965 by Percy Faith, with lyrics by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. “Maybe September” 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 is beautifully sung by Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Maybe September” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“Maybe September,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

I did some internet sleuthing today and found this clip of Tony Bennett, Stephen Boyd, and Jill St. John from The Oscar. Enjoy!

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Blue Velvet

The song of the day for Monday, July 17, 2023, is “Blue Velvet.”

About Today

We’re celebrating one of Tony’s earliest hits at Columbia, “Blue Velvet,” which was recorded 72 years ago today, on July 17, 1951. His recording career lasted from 1950 until 2021, with the release of Love For Sale. Tony Bennett’s recording career of 71 years, is astounding.

About This Song

“Because of You” was written by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris in 1950. Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Blue Velvet” was the first recording of the song and was one of his early hits for Columbia.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blue Velvet” on July 17, 1951, and released it as a single later that year. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“Blue Velvet,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Sunday, July 2, 2023, 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. It was released on Bennett’s album, Tony, released in 1957. It was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith. Bennett was joined on this album by guitarist Chuck Wayne, whom he worked with on Cloud 7; on Tony, Wayne provides a wonderful guitar accompaniment to “Lost in the Stars.”

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

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites