The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 11, 2024, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” One of the early recordings was by Louis Armstrong, followed by a fine recording in 1936 by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959), and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album of songs associated with Louis Armstrong, A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sunrise, Sunset

The song of the day for Saturday, June 24, 2023, is “Sunrise, Sunset.”

About Today

We are featuring this song in honor of the lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who died at the age of 99 on June 23, 2023. Harnick and composer Jerry Bock wrote many musicals from the Golden Age of Broadway, including Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello, She Loves Me, The Rothschilds, and The Madwoman of Central Park.

May his memory be a blessing.

About This Song

“Sunrise, Sunset” was written by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick in 1964 for the very successful Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof. Fiddler was based on Tevye and his Daughters, a series of stories written by Sholem Aleichem between 1894 and 1914 about Jewish life in Russia.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sunrise, Sunset” on November 17, 1969, for his album Tony Sings The Greatest Hits of Today! which was released in 1970. It was arranged by Peter Matz.

“Sunrise, Sunset,” as well as Tony Sings The Great Hits of Today! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, February 5, 2023, is “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart.”

About This Song

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” was written in 1931 by James P. Johnson and Flournoy Earkin Miller. Johnson, a composer who was also known as a Harlem Stride pianist, collaborated with author and producer Miller to produce the Sugar Hill revue in 1931 for this song. Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” as a duet with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra in 1949 on the Decca label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” in March 2002 for the album A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” as well as A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Louis Armstrong and Billy Holiday 1949 duet of “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” on the Decca label:

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Song of the Day: La Vie En Rose

The song of the day for Friday, February 3, 2023, is “La Vie En Rose.”

About This Song

“La Vie En Rose” was written in 1946 by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy). Edith Piaf wrote the French lyrics; Mack David wrote the English lyrics.

While now considered one of Edith Piaf’s most identifiable songs (taking second place only to “Non, je ne regrette rein”), this song had a slow and somewhat troubled beginning. The lyric came to Miss Piaf in 1944. She worked with Louiguy on the melody. At the time the song was written, only Louiguy, as neither Piaf or Monnot were qualified to copyright their work under the auspices of Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique, the official French association. Initially, the song was thought to be weak as compared to the rest of her repertoire and she was encouraged to not sing it at her concerts. She did not sing it publicly until 1946 and it quickly became a favorite of audiences. She finally recorded the song in 1947. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “La Vie En Rose” in May 2002 for their album Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz; Lee Musiker wrote the arrangements and served as musical director.

“La Vie En Rose,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Armstrong’s 1951 recording:

And here’s Edith Piaf’s 1947 recording:

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Monday, October 17, 2022, is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave” was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1967. Known as “Vou Te Contar” in the original Portuguese, is a classic bossa nova song by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It’s one of Jobim’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” on August 13, 1970, for his album Tony Bennett’s “Something”. It was arranged by Peter Matz.

“Wave,” as well as Tony Bennett’s “Something”, is available on Apple Music.