The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Look For The Silver Lining

The song of the day for Monday, June 5, 2023, is “Look For The Silver Lining.”

About This Song

“Look For The Silver Lining” was written in 1919 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva, for the unsuccessful musical Zip, Goes a Million. It was published and reused in the musical Sally, where it was sung by Marilyn Miller. It’s had several notable recordings, including those by Chet Baker, Margaret Whiting, Bing Crosby, and several recordings by Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Look For The Silver Lining: for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Accompanying Bennett on this recording are Bill Charlap, who wrote the arrangement, and Renee Rosnes.w

“Look For The Silver Lining,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Friday, April 21, 2023, is “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”

About This Song

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” was written in 1940 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. Unlike many songs by Jerome Kern, it wasn’t written specifically for a film or Broadway musical. However, it was used in the 1941 film Lady Be Good, where it was sung by Ann Sothern; the song won the Academy Award for best song that year. the song also inspired the 1954 film of the same name, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson. Significant recordings include those by Kate Smith, Bud Powell, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, and Connie Francis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Last Time I Saw Paris” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern. For this song, Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charles, who wrote the arrrangement, and Renee Rosnes on dual pianos.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Friday, March 10, 2023, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the groundbreaking 1927 musical Show Boat.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap recorded “Make Believe” for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson singing “Make Believe” from the 1951 film version of Show Boat:

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Song of the Day: I’m Old Fashioned

The song of the day for Thursday, March 9, 2023, is “I’m Old Fashioned.”

About This Song

“I’m Old Fashioned” was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier, where it was first sung by Nan Wynn who dubbed for Rita Hayworth as part of a song and dance routine with Fred Astaire.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap on piano; Peter Washington on bass; and Kenny Washington on drums) recorded “I’m Old Fashioned” for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“I’m Old Fashioned,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, and Nan Wynn’s voice from You Were Never Lovelier:

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Song of the Day: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 7, 2023, is “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”

About This Song

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein in 1940. Kate Smith recorded it in 1940; the song touched many people after France was taken over by Germany and the Nazi party. The song was also used in the 1941 movie Lady Be Good, sung by Ann Sothern and won Kern and Hammerstein an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Kern was upset upon winning the award for a song that was not written specifically for a film and that had been published and recorded prior to the release of the movie. The Motion Picture Academy, upon Kern’s recommendation, changed the rules which now require a song to be written specifically for a film to be considered.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Last Time I Saw Paris” with Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes on piano for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.