The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Monday, September 19, 2016 is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland to sing in the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

“The Man That Got Away” is one of many fine recordings by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon on the 1961 album Tony Sings For Two.

The Man That Got Away

Listen to The Man That Got Away on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Why “The Man That Got Away”?

Well, today is your author’s birthday and what better way to celebrate it than featuring my favorite song from my favorite Tony Bennett album, that it also from my favorite film? It had to be “The Man That Got Away.”

As a birthday present to myself, here’s the great Judy Garland from A Star Is Born.

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Song of the Day: Day In, Day Out

The song of the day for Monday, September 5, 2016 is “Day In, Day Out.”

About This Song

“Day In, Day Out” was written in 1936 by Rube Bloom and Johnny Mercer. The song has been a favorite of vocalists since it was written. The tune itself is also rather unusual at 56 measures long. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder notes that “the melodic line soared and moved across the page like a lovely brush stroke. And it had, remarkable for any pop song, passion.” It has been recorded by many of the finest vocalists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé and Margaret Whiting.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day In, Day Out” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank and features an arrangement by Ralph Sharon.

Day In, Day Out

Listen to Day In, Day Out on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“Day In, Day Out,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

The song of the day for Monday, August 29, 2016 is “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.”

About This Song

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square was written in 1939 by Manny Sherwin and Eric Mashwitz. The song was a favorite romantic British ballad. It was introduced in London in the 1940 revue New Faces by Judy Campbell. Glenn Miller recorded it with Bob Eberly and introduced the song to American audiences. The song was quite popular during World War II and was recorded widely during that period. Significant recordings include those by Ray Noble, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Anita O’Day, Rosemary Clooney, and Nat “King” Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. The arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

Listen to A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Friday, August 26, 2016 is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

Written in 1939, “Oh! You Crazy Moon” was the first song that Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, which featured the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

Oh! You Crazy Moon

Listen to Oh! You Crazy Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Because Of You

On the seventh and final day of The Tony Bennett 90th Birthday Bash, August 6, 2016, our song of the day is “Because Of You.”

About This Song

“Because of You” was written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Because Of You” in April 1951–some 65 years ago. I chose this song because it was such a turning point in Bennett’s career. His early recordings had done okay, but Columbia was concerned that their new singer hadn’t had a big, big hit yet. Bennett met with his arranged Percy Faith, who encouraged Tony Bennett to sing with his natural voice … very good advice. They were supposed to record four songs that day, but only had three ready to go. Percy Faith picked up the sheet music for “Because of You” and suggested they record it. The song reached number one on the Billboard Charts and stayed there for ten weeks.

Because of You

Listen to Because of You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“Because Of You,” as well as all the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today’s video is Tony Bennett singing today’s song, live in concert from 1991, with Ralph Sharon on piano. It’s just wonderful!

Thanks to all the readers of this blog for sharing and participating in The Tony Bennett 90th Birthday Bash. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.