The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Gone With the Wind

The song of the day for Friday, April 25, 2025, is “Gone With the Wind.”

About This Song

“Gone With the Wind” was written in 1937 by Allie Wrubel and Herb Magidson. Alec Wilder notes in American Popular Song about “these exceptional songs from competent but unexceptional writers fascinate and plague me. For if they could write one sensitive, inventive, exceptional song, why not more?” Wrubel and Magidson may be lost to songwriting history, save this rather wonderful song with its timeless feel.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Gone With the Wind” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Gone With the Wind,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Sunday, April 13, 2025, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement.

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Awawrd for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

I first fell in love with this song when I heard it on a Nancy Lamott album, in case you’d like to listen.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Like Goodbyes

The song of the day for Saturday, March 8, 2025, is “Don’t Like Goodbyes.”

About This Song

“Don’t Like Goodbyes” was composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Arlen and Truman Capote, for the 1954 Broadway musical House of Flowers, based on Capote’s novella of the same name. The song was introduced by Pearl Bailey. While the musical was not well-reviewed, the Arlen-Capote score is quite wonderful, including not only today’s song but the exquisite “A Sleepin’ Bee,” which Tony Bennett has recorded twice (in 1959 for Tony Sings For Two and at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert). “Don’t Like Goodbyes” has been recorded by Pearl Bailey, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Like Goodbyes” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Don’t Like Goodbyes,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Remember You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 9, 2025, is “I Remember You.”

About This Song

“I Remember You” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer in 1941 for the movie The Fleet’s In (directed by the composer Schertzinger), where it was introduced by Dorothy Lamour. Schertzinger died from a heart attack prior to the 1942 release of The Fleet’s In. It is said that Mercer wrote the lyric for Judy Garland, with whom he was said to be in love. The song has been widely recorded over the decades and remains popular today. Notable recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Remember You” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel was the musical director for The Art of Excellence and conducted and wrote the arrangements.

“I Remember You,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Gone With The Wind

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 19, 2024, is “Gone With The Wind.”

About This Song

“Gone With The Wind” (not to be confused with the book and film Gone With The Wind) was written in 1937 by Allie Wrubel and Herb Magidson. Alec Wilder notes in American Popular Song that “these exceptional songs from competent but unexceptional writers fascinate and plague me. For if they could write one sensitive, inventive, exceptional song, why not more?” Wrubel and Magidson may be lost to songwriting history, save this rather wonderful song with its timeless feel.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Gone With The Wind” in 2004 for The Art of Romance, released 20 years ago on November 19, 2004. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Gone With The Wind,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.