The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Thursday, June 1, 2023, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow in 1934 for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. Mae West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his album dedicated to the music of Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s recording of “My Old Flame” from 1944:

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Saturday, February 18, 2023, is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written by W. Franke Harding and Sam Coslow in 1930 for the movie Honey, starring Lillian Roth.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and John Legend recorded “Sing You Sinners” on February 10, 2006, for the album Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Sing You Sinners,” as well as Duets: An American Classic is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Monday, July 25, 2022, is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written in 1930 by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow for the movie Honey, which starred Lillian Roth.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sing You Sinners” on December 15, 1955, and released it as a single the following year. It was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Sing You Sinners,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 4 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Thursday, May 19, 2022, is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow for the 1930 movie Honey, starring Lillian Roth.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sing You Sinners” on July 20, 1950, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning.

“Sing You Sinners,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 8, 2021, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written in 1934 by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow for the movie Belle of the Nineties, starring Mae West. West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it. The song has become a jazz standard with recordings by Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Mae West recording of My Old Flame from 1934!