The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Days of Wine and Roses

The song of the day for Saturday, August 9, 2025, is “Days of Wine and Roses.”

About This Song

“Days of Wine and Roses” was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for the 1962 film, Days of Wine and Roses, which starred Lee Remick and Jack Lemmon. the film is arguably the most powerful film ever made about alcoholism and the struggles of the Remick and Lemmon to stop drinking. There are scenes in this film that I know I will never forget; it is a true masterpiece. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Days of Wine and Roses” in June 1975, for their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“Days of Wine and Roses,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Friday, June 6, 2025, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the the 1947 movie The Road to Rio, where it was introduced by Bing Crosby. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “But Beautiful” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1947 Bing Crosby version, which is quite lovely.

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Song of the Day: Young and Foolish

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, is “Young and Foolish.”

About This Song

“Young and Foolish” was written by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt for the 1954 Broadway musical Plain and Fancy, which concerned a New York couple who travel to Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to sell a piece of property and become involved with and learn values from the community. The musical was one of the first depictions of an Amish community in American Pop culture.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Young and Foolish” with Bill Evans in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“Young and Foolish,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Saturday, May 3, 2025, is “Some Other Time.”

About Today

We are celebrating Betty Comden, who co-wrote the lyrics for “Some Other Time” with Adolph Green. Betty Comden was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 3, 1917.

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, for the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town, the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. The album was released in 1975 on the Fantasy Records label, where Bill Evans had a contract.

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

I’d like to include a version of “Some Other Time” from a 1960 studio recording of On The Town, conducted by Bernstein. It features two of the couples saying goodbye to each other, even though it’s unlikely they’ll meet again. Betty Comden sang for this recording — hers is the first voice in the recording.

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Monday, April 21, 2025, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In the year 2000, as part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which are songs that Tony Bennett has recorded, including “When In Rome.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in June 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, released on the Fantasy label.

“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.