The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Country Girl

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 26, 2025, is “Country Girl.”

About This Song

“Country Girl” was written by the Canadian-born composer, conductor, arranger and trumpet player Robert Farnon. Farnon composed both light classical and popular music, as well as film and television scores. Robert Farnon worked with Tony Bennett on several albums, including the wonderful 1968 Snowfall.

The song was based on the William Wordsworth poem “The Solitary Reaper.” “Country Girl” was written in 1966 for the Eurovision Song Contest; it came in third. All I can say is that those other two songs must have been phenomenal, because “Country Girl” is one of the most beautiful and touching songs that I have ever heard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Country Girl” 59 years ago on November 26, 1966, for Tony Makes It Happen, released in 1967. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted.

“Country Girl,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Harlem Butterfly

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 7, 2025, is “Harlem Butterfly.”

About This Song

“Harlem Butterfly” was written by Johnny Mercer in 1942. It’s one of the few songs where Johnny Mercer wrote the music as well the lyrics, including “I Wanna Be Around” and “Dream.” Significant recordings include those by Maxine Sullivan, Susannah McCorkle, Rebecca Kilgore, Bobby Short, and Dave Frishberg.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Harlem Butterfly” in October 1, 1971, for his 1972 album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Harlem Butterfly,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the. Day: Here’s That Rainy Day

The song of the day for Sunday, June 8, 2025, is “Here’s That Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“Here’s That Rainy Day” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1953 Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders, which only ran for six performances. This song, however, is quite good and has remained a popular ballad over the years. In addition to Bennett’s recording, it has also been recorded by those such as Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Lawrence, Billy Eckstine and Ann Hampton Calloway. The song is also proved a favorite of jazz instrumentalists, including Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond and Art Pepper, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Here’s That Rainy Day” in London on October 1, 1971, for With Love, released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Here’s That Rainy Day,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dream

The song of the day for Saturday, April 19, 2025, is “Dream.”

About This Song

“Dream” was written by Johnny Mercer in 1944. It’s one of the rare songs where Mercer wrote both the lyrics and the music; others include “Harlem Butterfly” and “I Wanna Be Around.” This song has been recorded by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, The Pied Pipers, Roy Orbison, and Ringo Starr.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dream” on October 1, 1971; it was released the following year on With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Dream,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Twilight World

The song of the day for Thursday, March 20, 2025, is “Twilight World.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is happy and proud to honor the great Marian McPartland on the anniversary of her birth on March 20, 1918. She did it all: jazz pianist, composer, author, and radio presenter. Her Piano Jazz program on NPR was the catalyst that made me a jazz fan.

About This Song

“Twilight World” was composed by Marian McPartland in 1957, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The tune itself is a lovely mid-tempo ballad, often played in a bossa nova style. The Mercer lyrics are quite good, and the combination makes for a nearly perfect jazz song. Tony Bennett said “Well, that song will last forever. It’s a beautiful song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Twilight World” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Twilight World,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett was McPartland’s guest on Piano Jazz in 1990. We’re very pleased to be able to include that episode in the post.