The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: What A Wonderful World

The song of the day for Sunday, October 16, 2022, is “What A Wonderful World.”

About This Song

“What A Wonderful World” was written by Bob Theile (writing as George Douglas) and George David Weiss in 1967. Written at a time of great political and racial unrest in America, “What A Wonderful World” was a kind, gentle and positive song that was very well received. Louis Armstrong recorded it first and it was a big hit for him, selling over a million singles. Even though this song has been recorded by many fine artists, it remains closely identified with Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What A Wonderful World” on August 13, 1970, for his album Tony Bennett’s “Something”. Peter Matz wrote the arrangement.

“What A Wonderful World,” as well as Tony Bennett’s “Something” is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Is That All There Is

The song of the day for Friday, October 14, 2022, is “Is That All There Is.”

About This Song

“Is That All There Is” was written by Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber in 1968. Most people are familiar with Peggy Lee’s recording of this song, recorded in January 1969. The lyrics for this song were inspired by a story by Thomas Mann, Disillusionment. Leiber’s wife Gaby, who escaped the Nazis from the Netherlands prior to the war, introduced her husband to the story and assisted with the lyrics. In fact, most of the words in the chorus are taken verbatim from the Mann story.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Is That All There Is” on October 7, 1969, for the album Tony Sings The Great Hits of Today, released in 1970. Peter Matz wrote the arrangement.

“Is That All There Is,” as well as Tony Sings The Great Hits of Today is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Thursday, April 21, 2022, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” While the reviewers were not kind to the production, the score was then, and remains still, quite noteworthy. Even though Fields’ lyrics for the song are very fine, the early recordings of the song were mostly instrumentals, such as that by Louis Armstrong. The song became popular again in 1936, with a fine recording 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 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, which consisted of songs associated with Louis Armstrong. 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: I’m Confessing

The song of the day for Friday, December 10, 2021, is “I’m Confessing.”

About This Song

“I’m Confessing (That I Love You)” was written in 1930 by Doc Dougherty, Ellis Reynolds, and Al J. Neiburg. The song had a somewhat odd start. It was first known as “Lookin’ for Another Sweetie,” with lyrics credited to Chris Smith and Sterling Grant, and was recorded by Fats Waller in 1929. Al Neiburg wrote the new lyrics and the song was recast in 1930 with its current title. Louis Armstrong made the first recording of it in 1930, and in spite of many other recordings, it remains strongly identified with Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “I’m Confessing” in 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“I’m Confessing,” as well as A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here is Armstrong’s 1930 recording:

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Friday, September 10, 2021, is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave” (or “Vou Te Contar” in Portuguese) was written in 1967 by Antonio Carlos Jobim; originally written as an instrumental, Jobim wrote the English lyrics himself. This song has been widely recorded by artists including Oscar Peterson, Joao Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” in 1970 for his album Tony Bennett’s “Something”. Peter Matz wrote the arrangement.

Wave

Listen to Wave on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1970

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