The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart In San Francisco

The song of the day for Thursday, September 1, 2022, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters constantly gave Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, I Left My Heart in San Francisco was a huge hit at the performance, and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang this version of “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” live on August 28, 1962, at a concert hosted by President Kennedy’s White House held at the Washington Monument. The concert, with Bennett and his trio and Dave Brubeck and his quartet, was released in 2013 on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. Bennett’s trio consisted of Ralph Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Foggy Day

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 31, 2022, is “A Foggy Day.”

About This Song

“A Foggy Day” was written in 1937 by George and Ira Gershwin for the movie A Damsel in Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It’s been quite popular with many great recordings, including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Foggy Day” on March 15, 1962, for his album On The Glory Road. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.


“A Foggy Day,” as well as On The Glory Road is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire singing today’s song from A Damsel in Distress.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 23, 2022, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded all the things you are on June 9, 1962, at his legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra. The concert was recorded and released later that year on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Soon It’s Gonna Rain

The song of the day for Sunday, August 21, 2022, is “It’s Gonna Rain.”

About This Song

“Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” written by Jarvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, is from the 1960 off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks, which ran for an astounding 42 years and 17,162 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” on March 16, 1962, for On The Glory Road, which was to be released in 1962, but was canceled. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“It’s Gonna Rain,” as well as On The Glory Road is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Saturday, August 20, 2022, is “Revolving’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Will Robison. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote:

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” on March 16, 1962, for On The Glory Road, which was to be released in 1962, but was canceled at the last minute. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Fortunately, the album was included is Bennett’s 2011 box set: The Complete Collection.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On The Glory Road is available on Apple Music.

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