The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 1, 2022, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong as Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey, and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” in 1954 for his first LP album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne did the arrangement.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 12, 2017 is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange. Swingin’ the Dream as an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” in 1955 for his first album Cloud 7.

After recording a string of hits for Columbia, in 1955 he was able to take complete creative control for this album. Not only was it his first full-length album but, more important to Bennett, it was a jazz album. Prominent jazz musicians that played on the album include Al Cohn (tenor sax), Ed Shaughnessy (drums), Gene DiNovi (piano) and Chuck Wayne (guitar). In addition to his guitar work, Wayne did most of the arrangements. Even after 60+ years, this album holds up very, very well and is certainly worth your time for a listen.

Darn That Dream

Listen to Darn That Dream on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1955


“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Friday, January 30, 2015 is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

Written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange, “Darn That Dream” was written for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors. Billie Holiday recorded “Darn That Dream” in 1957.

About This Version

“Darn That Dream” is the 10th and final song on our album of the month, Cloud 7. It is my personal favorite from this album. Perhaps it has to do with working on several productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream during my career in theater, but when I imagine Louis Armstrong, in the role of Bottom, singing this song, I swoon. Tony Bennett sings this song perfectly; I completely believe that dream. The very effective arrangement is by Chuck Wayne.

About Today

Today concludes our examination of Cloud 7, Tony Bennett’s first full-length album. Watch for February’s album of the month to be announced on Sunday.

Darn That Dream

Listen to Darn That Dream on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1955

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Monday, November 11, 2013 is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange, for the short-lived Broadway musical Swingin’ The Dream, which opened in 1939.

Swingin’ The Dream was a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with an African-American cast including Butterfly McQueen, Louis Armstrong, Bill Bailey, Moms Mabley and the Dandridge Sisters. Armstrong played the role of Bottom and introduced today’s song. Alas, it only ran for 13 performances.

Louis Armstrong Performing in Swing Version of

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” for his first full album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. The song was arranged by Chuck Wayne, who also played guitar for the album. You can read more about Cloud 7 on The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

http://open.spotify.com/track/49qnUsYpaH3zLa20TCSYOy
“Darn That Dream,” as well as the album Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

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