The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Solitude

As we continue with Duke Ellington Week, the song of the day for Monday, April 26, 2021, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written by Duke Ellington in 1934; the lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later. One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short. per Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards. It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Solitude,” his first, in 1958 for his second album with The Count Basie Orchestra, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Solitude

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1934 recording of today’s song:

Solitude

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 2018.

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Saturday, January 16, 2021, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

Noël Coward wrote “Poor Little Rich Girl” for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” in 1959 with The Count Basie Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Count Basie · Song · 1959.

“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Bennett/Basie, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 24, 2019, is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Hugh Martin, like your author, is from Birmingham, Alabama and, also like your author, attended Birmingham-Southern College.

It was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song.

It’s my favorite Christmas song too.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in 2004 for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, which was released in 2008, The album featured The Count Basie Orchestra.

As a Judy Garland fan, I have to offer her original recording from Meet Me In St.Louis:

About Today

Boy, am I glad to be back! I wound up in the hospital once again with pneumonia. I’m over the pneumonia, but I am still recovering physically from the ordeal. I’m told this to be expected, so I’m trying to be patient. Meanwhile, I’m hobbling around on a walker, which I need right now but can’t wait to put that thing in the closet.

In order to put in new carpet and flooring in my apartment, they had to pack up all of my stuff and move it out. Except for the kitchen not being affected as it’s all off the floor, it’s like moving in all over again. I’m going to take advantage of the situation to do a little Marie Kondo. But unlike Marie, all books and music bring joy!

Merry Christmas to you all!

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Sunday, December 10, 2017 is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written in or the 1925 revue On With the Dance by Noël Coward. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett.

Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Count Basie · Song · 1959.


“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

Today is the second day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

The song of the day for Thursday, December 15, 2016 is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Antonia Bennett recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas, recorded with The Count Basie Big Band.

I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (with Antonia Bennett)

Listen to I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (with Antonia Bennett) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2008.


“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

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