The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Close Your Eyes

The song of the day for Monday, May 22, 2023, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written by Bernice Petkere in 1933. She was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Your Eyes” on April 5, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns arranged and conducted the album.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Monday, May 1, 2023, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” on November 4, 1958, and released it in 1959 on his album Hometown, My Town. Ralph Burns arranged and conducted the album.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: More Than You Know

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 5, 2023, is “More Than You Know.”

About This Song

More Than You Know” was written by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu, for the 1929 Broadway musical Great Day, which only ran for 36 performances. In spite of its poor run on Broadway, the score was considered very good and so it got sold to Hollywood, where it was to be a starring vehicle for Joan Crawford. Eight weeks into production, the film was shut down and was never released. Thankfully, this song remained popular, in many ways thanks to Fanny Brice, who was married to Billy Rose and sang the song in her performances with the Ziegfeld Follies. It has been widely recorded by jazz and popular artists since it was written.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “More Than You Know” on April 4, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns, who also arranged Bennett’s 1959 album Hometown, My Town.

“More Than You Know,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 22, 2023, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Dancing in the Dark” on April 6, 1961, for the album My Heart Sings, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: In A Mellow Tone

The song of the day for Friday, January 27, 2021, is “In A Mellow Tone.”

About This Song

“In A Mellow Tone” was written in 1939 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Milt Gabler. It was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, and Annie Ross.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Mellow Tone” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, with an arrangement by Ralph Burns. The recording gives everyone in the quartet a chance to shine: Ralph Sharon, piano; Gray Sargent, guitar; Paul Langosch, bass; and Clayton Cameron, drums. Wynton Marsalis is featured on trumpet.

“In A Mellow Tone,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Ellington’s 1958 instrumental recording of today’s song, from his album Blues In Orbit. Featured musicians include Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, and Sam Woodyard.

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