The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It’s Only A Paper Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 9, 2024, is “It’s Only A Paper Moon.”

About This Song

“It’s Only A Paper Moon” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. Originally written for an unsuccessful play called The Great Magoo, this song was used in the 1933 movie Take a Chance. Paul Whiteman recorded it that year. There were two very fine recordings in the 1940s by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, which sealed the popularity of the song. Since that time, it has been a popular and jazz favorite that has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s Only A Paper Moon” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“It’s Only A Paper Moon,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Little Things

The song of the day for Saturday, August 31, 2024, is “Little Things.”

About This Song

“Little Things” was written in 1972 by Joe Raposo for the television program Sesame Street. Raposo, originally from Boston, came to New York and was working as an accompanist and musical director for various Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. He first worked with Jim Henson in 1969 for a television special Hey Cinderella! Henson then asked Raposo to join him to work on Sesame Street. Although he left the show in 1974, he remained close to The Muppets and worked on several of their films.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Elmo recorded “Little Things” in June 1998 for Tony’s album for children: The Playground.

“Little Things,” as well as The Playgound, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Friday, August 2, 2024, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Mom

The song of the day for Sunday, May 12, 2024, is “My Mom.”

About This Song

“My Mom” was written in 1932 by Walter Donaldson. It was quite popular at the time, with recordings by George Jessell and Rudy Vallee, among others. In his autobiography The Good Life, Tony Bennett relates that his father used to sing this song to him and his brother and sister when they were children.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Mom” in June 1998 for The Playground, his album for children.

“My Mom,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

The song of the day for Thursday, February 1, 2024, is “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive.”

About This Song

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” was written in 1944 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. This charming song was written in the style of sermon with the message of being positive is the key to happiness. Mercer is said to have heard a sermon by Father Divine, who said “you got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.” And thus this memorable song was born. The song was first used in the 1944 movie Here Comes the Waves, starring Bing Crosby and Betty Hutton. Significant recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Kay Kyser, Artie Shaw, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites