The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 22, 2025, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Harold 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.” 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.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his 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 for his album Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon, who led the Ralph Sharon Trio that accompanied Bennett for Perfectly Frank, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

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

Yip Harburg spoke about “Last Night When We Were Young” on his 1979 appearance on They Write The Songs:

E.Y Yip Harburg Television Special 1979

Wizard Of Oz lyricist did this wonderful one hour show in 1979, where he talked about his years at MGM and of course Judy Garland, This is several clips I edited together in which she was mentioned! I make no cliam to copyright! just a video from my personal collection!

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

The song of the day for Friday, January 17, 2025, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written in 1932 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 of Frank Sinatra songs, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Sharon, on piano, led the Ralph Sharon Trui, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance/

“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: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Thursday, December 26, 2024, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” 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.” All in all, it’s a gorgeous and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it 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 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for Sunday, December 8, 2024, is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Night and Day” for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song became and still is quite popular and certainly a standard in the American songbook. Significant recordings include those by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Django Reinhardt.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Best Traditional Pop Performance Award.

“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Glad There is You

The song of the day for Saturday, October 5, 2024, is “I’m Glad There is You.”

About This Song

“I’m Glad There is You” was written in 1941 by Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Madeira. It was originally released by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra in 1941 and featured Bob Eberly on vocals. The song has been widely recorded including recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, and Peggy Lee, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Glad There is You” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I’m Glad There is You,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.