The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Saturday, May 14, 2022, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Go To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. Written by the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus is Coming To Town,” “You Go to My Head” is a well-respected popular song. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder called it “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “You Go To My Head” in 1957 for The Beat of My Heart. Today’s version, though, is from 1992 for Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the very fine arrangement.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Saturday, May 7, 2022, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Style and Sammy Canh in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank, with a wonderful arrangement by Ralph Sharon.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, May 5, 2022, 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, this song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, with a fine Ralph Burns arrangement. Today, though, I’m choosing his second studio recording from 1964 on the album When Lights Are Low, arranged by Ralph Sharon. This is version is more low-key and introspective than the original. I love both, but felt in the mood for this version today.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Nobody’s Heart Belongs to Me

The song of the day for Sunday, May 1, 2022, is “Nobody’s Heart Belongs to Me.”

About This Song

“Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the musical By Jupiter in 1942. Directed by Joshua Logan, it starred Ray Bolger, Vera-Ellen, and Constance Moore. It was their last full-length work. In American Popular Music, Alec Wilder called this song “one of the loveliest songs Rodgers or any other theater writer has ever written. In the area of this form of music, it is a masterpiece.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nobody’s Heart Belongs to Me” in 1959 with just Bennett and Ralph Sharon. The intended album, Tony Sings For Two, was released in 1961.

“Nobody’s Heart Belongs to Me,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Monday, April 18, 2022, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” This song was used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, his tribute to the songs sung by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“By Myself,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

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