The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’ll Be Seeing You

The song of the day for Monday, December 4, 2023, is “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

About This Song

“I’ll Be Seeing You” was written in 1938 by Sammy Fain, with lyrics by Irving Kahal. The song grew to fame during World War II, becoming an anthem for soldiers serving overseas and their loved ones left at home. It’s been recorded by Billie Holiday, Al Hirt, Lisa Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Peggy Lee and Willie Nelson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ll Be Seeing You” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I’ll Be Seeing You,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Soon It’s Gonna Rain

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 28, 2023, is “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.”

About This Song

“Soon It’s Gonna Rain” was written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones for their 1960 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 the album On The Glory Road, with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. The album was due to be released in 1962, but was canceled by Columbia. The album was released in Bennett’s 2011 Complete Collections box set. This recording was included on the 1964 The Many Moods of Tony album.

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

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Song of the Day: I Thought About You

The song of the day for Saturday, November 18, 2023, is “I Thought About You.”

About Today

We are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of one of America’s finest lyricist: Johnny Mercer. John Herdon Mercer was born on November 18, 1909, in Savannah, Georgia. He was a prolific lyricist, with credits from 1933 until 1973. He also composed, including “I Wanna Be Around.” He was a fine singer and released several albums as a vocalist.

Happy Birthday to Johnny Mercer.

About This Song

“I Thought About You” was written in 1939 by Jimmy Van Huesen and Johnny Mercer. In the biography Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer, author Gene Lees quotes Mercer about this song:

I can remember the afternoon that we wrote it. He [Van Heusen] played me the melody. I didn’t have any idea, but I had to go to Chicago that night. I think I was on the Benny Goodman program. And I got to thinking about it on the train. I was awake, I couldn’t sleep. The tune was running through my mind, and that’s when I wrote the song. On the train, really going to Chicago.

“I Thought About You” proved quite popular and has been recorded many times by jazz performers including Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hartman, Shirley Horn, Dinah Washington, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Thought About You” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio backed Tony for this album with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“I Remember You,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Glad There Is You

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 14, 2023, is “I’m Glad There Is You.”

About This Song

“I’m Glad There Is You” was written in 1941 by Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Madeira. This song was originally released by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra in 1941 and featured Bob Eberly on vocals. The song has been widely recorded including recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz and Peggy Lee, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Glad There Is You” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums) played on this album.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’m Glad There Is You,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Sunday, November 12, 2023, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Young Last Night” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1935. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Young Last Night” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio backed Bennett on this album with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.