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 Tuesday, April 17, 2018 is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written in 1960 for the Broadway musical Do Re Mi, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden too. Do Re Mi, which starred Phil Silvers, 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 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003

Listen to Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

Also from the same album is a piano solo by Bill Evans of the theme from The Bad and The Beautiful, one of my favorite movies about Hollywood. It was released in 1953 and had one hell of a cast: Kirk Douglas, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell and Barry Sullivan, among many others. The film, including this song, was scored by David Raksin. Vincente Minnelli directed.

The Bad And The Beautiful - Remastered 2003

Listen to The Bad And The Beautiful - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977

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Song of the Day: Who Can I Turn To

The song of the day for Saturday, January 20, 2018 is “Who Can I Turn To.”

About This Song

“Who Can I Turn To” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1964 British musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Producer David Merrick saw the production in London and decided to bring it to America, starting first with a nationwide tour. Around that time, Tony Bennett made this recording, which was a hit for him; this helped bring attention to the musical and helped ensure its success in the US.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Who Can I Turn To” in 1976 for their second album: Together Again. This song was not included in the original release of the album, but was added to 1999 Rhino CD release, along with a quite nice alternate take. I must confess that I had listen to both versions several times each before choosing this one. They’re both very fine recordings of a very good song.

Who Can I Turn To? - Remastered 2003

Listen to Who Can I Turn To? - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“Who Can I Turn To,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video this Saturday is from Bennett’s 1998 Live By Request program. He is backed by Ralph Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

On the final day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Sunday, December 25, 2017, the song of the day is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by 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 Bennet and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album Together Again.

A Child Is Born - Remastered 2003

Listen to A Child Is Born - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Peace on earth and goodwill to all.

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Friday, December 8, 2017 is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Make Someone Happy” is from the 1960 musical Do Re Mi, by Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Do Re Mi concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the juke box 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 1976 for their second album Together Again.

I know I just played a song by these three wonderful songwriters. No matter–it’s great music.

Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003

Listen to Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Monday, October 16, 2017 is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

This song was written by Michel Legrand, with lyric by Jacques Demy, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. The English lyrics were added later by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. “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 - Remastered 2003

Listen to You Must Believe In Spring - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“You Must Believe in Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

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