The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues

The song of the day for Thursday, December 9, 2021, is “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler wrote “I Got A Right To Sing The Blues” for the 1932 Broadway show, Earl Carroll’s Vanities. It has been a blues and jazz standard ever since. Notable recordings include those by Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bonnie Raitt recorded “I Got A Right To Sing The Blues” in 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement.

“I Got A Right To Sing The Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 10, 2021, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, a tribute to Frank Sinatra. The album won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Saturday, September 18, 2021, is “Get Happy.”

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1930 The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful performance of the in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Get Happy

Listen to Get Happy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Get Happy,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that wonderful performance by Judy Garland from Summer Stock:

Get Happy - Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive

Summer Stock (1950) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #SummerStockTo save Jane Falbury"s (Judy Garland) Connecticut farm, Jane"s sister, Abigail (Gloria DeHaven), c...

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Song of the Day: Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

The song of the day for Thursday, July 22, 2021, is “Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams.”

About This Song

“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” was written in 1931 by Harry Barris, with lyrics by Ted Koehler and Billy Moll. It’s one of the classic Depression-era songs that hoped to help people forget their troubles and dream of better days. Bing Crosby made the first recording in 1931 with the Gus Arnheim Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” in 1964 for his album Who Can I Turn To. It was arranged and conducted by George Siravo.

Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra)

Listen to Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams,” as well as Who Can I Turn To is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Sunday, June 13, 2021, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Bennett first recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” for his 1960 album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. He sang this song at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

I"ve Got The World On A String (From "I"ll Get By") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to I"ve Got The World On A String (From "I"ll Get By") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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