The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Monday, December 12, 2022, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Friday, December 9, 2022, is “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

About This Song

“I Fall In Love Too Easily” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the 1945 movie Anchors Away, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost to “It Might As Well Be Spring” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is a well-respected jazz standard, with recordings by Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Anita O’Day, and Johnny Hartman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Fall In Love Too Easily” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Sinatra’s recording of today’s song from 1945:

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 8, 2022, is “East of the Sun (West of the Moon).”

About This Song

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” was written by Brooks Bowman in 1934. Bowman wrote “East of the Sun” while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had a great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After he graduated from college in 1936, he worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Frank Sinatra recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in 1940 when he was the boy singer for Tommy Dorsey.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 7, 2022, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. It was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.”Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Perfectly Frank won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Sinatra’s version 1957 recording with the Nelson Riddle arrangement:

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 6, 2022, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1936. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs.

In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.”

Overall, it’s a wonderful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his superb album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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