The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Never Was You

The song of the day for Sunday, April 11, 2021, is “It Never Was You.”

About This Song

“It Never Was You” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, the score of which also included “September Song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded It Never Was You” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

It Never Was You

Listen to It Never Was You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“It Never Was You,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lover Man

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 31, 2021, is “Lover Man.”

About This Song

“Lover Man” was written in 1941 by Jimmy Davis, Roger “Ram” Ramirez, and James Sherman. The song was written for Billie Holiday, and remains most closely associated with her, despite many other fine recordings. Her recording of “Lover Man” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989. Other significant recordings include those by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Evans and Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lover Man” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)

Listen to Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Lover Man,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Holiday’s version:

Lover Man

Listen to Lover Man on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 1958.

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Song of the Day: I’m Comin’ Virginia

The song of the day for Saturday, March 13, 2021, is “I’m Comin’ Virginia.”

About This Song

“I’m Comin’ Virginia” was written in 1926 by Donald Heywood, with lyrics by Will Marion Cook. It was recorded by many of the great jazz performers: Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, and Ruby Braff. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song that it is “.. an unusual and a very good song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Comin’ Virginia” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. It features a great arrangement by Ralph Burns.

I’m Coming Virginia

Listen to I’m Coming Virginia on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“I’m Comin’ Virginia,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 9, 2021, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, featuring a great arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

Rules of the Road

Listen to Rules of the Road on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Sunday, March 7, 2021, is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed by Victor Young for the film The Uninvited. Ned Washington’s lyrics were added in 1946. The song was recorded in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It found its way as a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell, and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella By Starlight” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. The arrangement was written by Ralph Burns.

Stella By Starlight

Listen to Stella By Starlight on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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