The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings the Great Lyrics

The playlist of the week of August 25, 2019, is Tony Sings the Great Lyrics.

Tony Bennett seldom records a bad song and most of his recordings are of very good songs. This week, I’ve selected a handful of those very good songs that I think have exceptional lyrics.

Thou Swell from Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz (Larry) Hart.

I Concentrate on You from Steppin’ Out. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter.

The Lady is a Tramp from Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rogers & Hart Songs. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz (Larry) Hart.

Last Night When We Were Young from Perfectly Frank. Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Yip Harburg.

The Way You Look Tonight from Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2. Music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Dorothy Field.

One For My Baby and One More For the Road from Perfectly Frank. Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

The Man That Got Away from Tony Sings For Two. Music by Harold Arlen, music by Ira Gershwin.

I Got Lost In Her Arms from The Art of Excellence. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing from The Art of Excellence. Music by Michel Legrand, lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

The Party’s Over from Hometown, My Town. Music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 14, 2019, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written in 1967, with music by Sergio Mendes and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song was originally written for Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 for their 1968 album Look Around. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in 1986 for the album The Art of Excellence, his first album after resigning with Columbia Records. The album was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

So Many Stars

Listen to So Many Stars on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Moments Like This

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 10, 2019, is “Moments Like This.”

About This Song

“Moments Like This” was written by Burton Lane (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for a 1938 movie called College Swing and was introduced by Florence George. Early recordings include those by Maxine Sullivan, Teddy Wilson, and Dick Stabile and His Orchestra. Later recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Bobby Short, and Michael Feinstein.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Moments Like This” in 1986 for his album The Art of Excellence and features an arrangement by Jorge Calendrelli. The Art of Excellence was Bennett’s first album after re-signing with Columbia.

Moments Like This – 2011 Remaster

Moments Like This – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Moments Like This,” as well as The Art Of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Got Lost in Her Arms

The song of the day for Friday, June 15, 2018 is “I Got Lost in Her Arms.”

About This Song

Today’s song is from Irving Berlin’s wonderful 1946 musical Annie Get Your Gun, which starred Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton. The song’s actual title is “I Got Lost in His Arms” and was introduced by Miss Merman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Got Lost in Her Arms” in 1986 for his album The Art of Excellence. The very nice arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

I Got Lost In Her Arms

Listen to I Got Lost In Her Arms on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“I Got Lost in Her Arms,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing

The song of the day for Saturday, March 17, 2018 is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was written for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” for his 1986 album The Art of Excellence.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

Listen to How Do You Keep The Music Playing? on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s YouTube Saturday! Today we have the wonderful duet of Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin singing today’s song, recorded for the 2011 Duets II album.