The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: So Long, Big Time!

The song of the day for Sunday, September 4, 2022, is “So Long, Big Time!”

About This Song

“So Long, Big Time!” was written in 1963 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Dory Langdon Previn. One of Arlen’s later songs, “So Long, Big Time!” is about the “player” who’s run out of luck and is giving up the fast life and knows when it’s time to walk away. The Bill Evans Trio and Monica Zetterlund recorded this song in 1964 for the album Waltz For Debby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Long, Big Time!” on September 17, 1963, and was released in 1964 on the album The Many Moods of Tony. Harold Arlen conducted this recording; the arrangement was written by Marty Manning.

“So Long, Big Time!,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: So Long, Big Time!

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 19, 2021, is “So Long, Big Time!”

About This Song

“So Long, Big Time!” was written in 1963 by Harold Arlen and Dory Previn. One of Arlen’s later songs, “So Long, Big Time!” is about the “player” who’s run out of luck and is giving up the fast life and knows when it’s time to walk away. The Bill Evans Trio and Monica Zetterlund recorded this song in 1964 for the album Waltz For Debby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Long, Big Time!” in 1963 for The Many Moods of Tony, released in 1964. Harold Arlen conducted the orchestra for the recording.

So Long, Big Time!

Listen to So Long, Big Time! on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“So Long, Big Time!”, as well as The Many Moods of Tony, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Spring In Manhattan

The song of the day for Sunday, March 21, 2021, is “Spring In Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Spring In Manhattan” was written by Anthony Scibetta and Alice Reach in 1963. Blossom Dearie, a friend of Scibetta, introduced Tony Bennett to Scibetta. Tony Bennett said in the liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett that “It was refreshing to hear someone say something good about New York, so I decided to record it.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring In Manhattan” in 1963 for his album The Many Moods Of Tony, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa.

Spring In Manhattan

Listen to Spring In Manhattan on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“Spring In Manhattan,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony, is available from Apple Music.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves a Harold Arlen Song

The playlist of the week of June 23 is Tony Loves a Harold Arlen Song.

Harold Arlen is widely considered to be one of America’s finest songwriters. Bennett’s recordings of his work are all wonderful.

Tony Loves a Harold Arlen Song

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, from The Playground

A Sleepin’ Bee, with lyrics by Truman Capote, from Tony Sings For Two

Blues in the Night, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, from Playin’ With My Friends

Don’t Like Goodbyes, with lyrics by Truman Capote, from The Art of Romance

Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good), with lyrics by Ted Koehler, from Tony Bennett On Holiday

Last Night When We Were Young, with lyrics by Yip Harburg, from Perfectly Frank

One for My Baby (And One More for the Road), with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, on Perfectly Frank

So Long, Big Time, with lyrics by Dory Langon Previn, on The Many Moods of Tony

That Old Black Magic, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, from Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962

The Man That Got Away, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, from Tony Sings For Two

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Song of the Day: So Long, Big Time

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 17, 2018 is “So Long, Big Time.”

About This Song

“So Long, Big Time” was written in 1963 by Harold Arlen and Dory Langdon Previn. One of Arlen’s later songs, “So Long, Big Time” is about the “player” who’s run out of luck and is giving up the fast life and knows when it’s time to walk away. The Bill Evans Trio and Monica Zetterlund recorded this song in 1964 for the album Waltz For Debby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Long, Big Time” in 1963 for the album The Many Moods of Tony.

So Long, Big Time!

Listen to So Long, Big Time! on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“So Long, Big Time,” as well as The Many Moods of Tony, is available from iTunes.