The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Rags to Riches

The song of the day for Friday, May 17, 2024, is “Rags to Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags To Riches” was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross in 1953. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a huge hit for Bennett. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Rags To Riches” on https://discography.bloggingtonybennett.com/session/march-17-1953/, with a great arrangement by Percy Faith. The recording was #1 on Billboard for eight weeks and earned Bennett a gold record.

“Rags to Riches,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the opening of the film Goodfellas, released in 1990 and directed by Martin Scorsese:

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.