The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Friday, May 19, 2023, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1960 musical Do Re Mi. It concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the jukebox business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Make Someone Happy” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Sunday, December 25, 2022, the 12th day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, with lyrics by Alec Wilder. Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977 on Bennett’s Improv Label.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Two Lonely People

The song of the day for Monday, November 14, 2022, is “The Two Lonely People.”

About This Song

Bills Evans wrote “The Two Lonely People” in 1971; Carol Hall wrote the lyrics. The song first appeared on Evans’ 1971 album The Bill Evans Album. The song was also recorded in 1974 on Evans’ album But Beautiful, recorded live with Stan Getz at Jazz Middelheim in Antwerp, Belgium.

About This Version

Bill Evans and Tony Bennett recorded “The Two Lonely People” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“The Two Lonely People,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Maybe September

The song of the day for Sunday, November 13, 2022, is “Maybe September.”

About This Song

“Maybe September” was written by Percy Faith, with lyrics by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, for the 1965 movie, The Oscar, which is the only movie that Tony Bennett acted in. While the film received mixed reviews, this song is terrific and beautifully sung by Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Maybe September” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“Maybe September,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Saturday, November 12, 2022, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Jacques Demy, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the English lyrics. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album Together Again, released in 1977.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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