The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)

The song of the day for Saturday, July 27, 2024, is “One For My Baby (And One More For The Road).”

About This Song

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Harold Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms” as at 48 bars, it was longer than the standard 32 bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says that “the honors must go the lyric. … Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with “It’s a quarter to three”!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road),” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 24, 2024, is “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie.”

About This Song

“It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” was written by Billy Mayhew in 1936 and was originally introduced by Fats Waller. It’s been recorded by artists from Billie Holiday to Steve Goodman to Slim Whitman to Patti Page. And, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. The Ralph Sharon Trio accompanied Bennett on this album, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Sharon also wrote the arrangement.

“It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost In The Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 23, 2024, is “Lost In The Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost In The Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Lost In The Stars” on December 22, 1958, for his album with Count Basie and His Band, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lost In The Stars,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Thursday, July 11, 2024, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written by Noël Coward for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and His Count Basie Orchestra recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” on January 9, 1959, for Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Begin

The song of the day for Monday, July 7, 2024, is “Let’s Begin.”

About This Song

“Let’s Begin” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 musical Roberta, which also included many other fine Kern songs, including “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Begin” on October 14, 1957, for his third album The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited percussionists as guest artists; Art Blakely was the guest artist for “Let’s Being.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Let’s Begin,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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