The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: God Bless The Child

The song of the day for Friday, March 27, 2015 is “God Bless The Child.”

About This Song

“God Bless The Child” was written in 1939 by Billie Holiday, with assistance from Arthur Herzog, Jr. It is indelibly associated with Billie Holiday, who co-wrote the song. She first recorded it in 1941 on the Okeh label with Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra (which featured Roy Eldridge on trumpet). This recording was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1976 and included on the Songs of the (20th) Century list from the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About This Version

This version of “God Bless The Child” was recorded in 1959; it is an outtake from the October 28, 1959 recording session for Tony Sings For Two. It was released in 2011 on Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 1, part of the Complete Collection box set.

God Bless The Child

Tony Bennett · Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 · Song · 2012


“God Bless The Child,” as well as the other recordings included on Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Street of Dreams

The song of the day for Thursday, March 26, 2015 is “Street of Dreams.”

About This Song

“Street of Dreams” was written in 1932 by Victor Young (music) and Sam M. Lewis (lyrics). It has a classic depression-era sensibility, where love is one of the few things that may be impossible for those with money, but “no one is poor as long as love is sure.” Bing Crosby was the first singer to record “Street of Dreams”, though the Russ Columbo recording was also popular.

About This Version

Today’s song is the last cut on the original release of the Tony Sings For Two LP. It’s a sweet, slow ballad. I love the simple accompaniment from Ralph Sharon and the lovely sensitivity from Tony Bennett.

Street of Dreams

Listen to Street of Dreams on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961

“Street of Dreams,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Just Friends

The song of the day for Monday, March 23, 2015 is “Just Friends.”

About This Song

“Just Friends” was written in 1931, with music by John Klenner and lyrics by Sam M. Lewis. It has been a popular jazz standard , including vocal versions by Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan. The song, both the music as well as the lyrics, seem more modern than most songs written in the early 1930s and for that reason has received interesting jazz treatments and found itself quite at home with bebop stylings. It has especially popular as an instrumental, with recordings by Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz with Bill Evans, and Sonny Rawlins and Coleman Hawkins.

About This Version

“Just Friends” is the next-to-last song on the original release of our album of the month, Tony Sings For Two. As on the entire album, Ralph Sharon’s accompaniment is delightful.

Just Friends

Listen to Just Friends on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Just Friends,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 18, 2015 is “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe.”

About This Song

“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, starring Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song was introduced by Ethel Waters, sung to her husband Joe, played by Dooley Wilson. The 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky also featured Miss Waters, with the role of Joe played by Eddie Anderson.

About This Version

With today’s song, we return to our album of the month Tony Sings For Two. “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” is the 9th song on the album. Ralph Sharon’s bluesy introduction to the song is quite effective and Tony Bennett is obviously having a great time with the song. I’ve listened to a lot of Tony Bennett music and you can often hear his joy in singing the song–this is one of those times.

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

Listen to Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Sunday, March 8, 2015 is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Today’s version is our fifth song from our album of the month, Tony Sings For Two, and our fourth Rodgers and Hart song.

This is a lovely arrangement from Bennett and Ralph Sharon. Sharon’s piano work is very nice and Bennett just as wonderful on this song as he was for the rest of the album. It’s songs like that this that caused me choose this album for an album of the month.

My Funny Valentine

Listen to My Funny Valentine on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as the album Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.