The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Thursday, July 30, 2020, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler wrote “I’ve Got the World on a String” 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. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me

The song of the day for Thursday, July 1, 2020, is “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me.”

About This Song

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” was written in 1933 by Rube Bloom and Ted Koehler and introduced in the Cotton Club Parade – World’s Fair Edition. It’s a beautiful song about the loss of love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted; previously had worked with Tony on one of my favorites: Hometown, My Town. There were exceptional musicians on this album, including Milt Hinton, Eddie Costa, Mundell Lowe, and Bernie Jenkins.

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! Get Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, May 31, 2020, 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 song and dance performance in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” at his 1971 concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London, recorded and released on the album Get Happy. Robert Farnon conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra for this concert.

“Get Happy,” as well as Get Happy, is available from iTunes.

If you’re in the mood, here’s the Judy Garland performance from the 1950 movie Summer Stock:

Get Happy - Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive

Get Happy - Judy Garland | Summer Stock (1950) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #SummerStock To save Jane Falbury"s (Judy Garland) Connecticut farm, Jane"s sister, Abigail (Gloria DeHaven), convinces Herb Blake (Phil Silvers), the producer of a new Broadway show to rehearse on her farm.

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Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Monday, March 2, 2020, 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 song and dance performance in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

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

“Get Happy,” as well as Yesterday I Heard the Rain, is available from iTunes.

Here’s Judy Garland singing and dancing to “Get Happy” from the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

Get Happy - Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive

Get Happy - Judy Garland | Summer Stock (1950) #WarnerArchive #WarnerBros #SummerStock To save Jane Falbury"s (Judy Garland) Connecticut farm, Jane"s sister, Abigail (Gloria DeHaven), convinces Herb Blake (Phil Silvers), the producer of a new Broadway show to rehearse on her farm.

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Tony Live! I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Sunday, February 2, 2020, 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 sang “I’ve Got the World on a String” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. The concert was recorded and released as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.