The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Don’t Know What Love Is

The song of the day for Friday, October 8. 2021, is “You Don’t Know What Love Is.”

About This Song

“You Don’t Know What Love Is” was written in 1941 by Gene de Paul, with lyrics by Don Raye for an Abbott and Costello movie called Keep ‘Em Flying, but was cut from the film before it opened. The song was finally used in a B picture named Behind the Eight Ball. “You Don’t Know What Love Is” gradually became a jazz standard, as evidenced by the Miles Davis recording from 1954. Other significant jazz recordings included those by Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Anita O’Day, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone, and Cassandra Wilson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Don’t Know What Love Is” in 1975 for their second album Together Again, released in 1976.

You Don"t Know What Love Is - Remastered 2003

Listen to You Don"t Know What Love Is - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · 1977

“You Don’t Know What Love Is,” 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 Monday, September 12, 2021, is “Maybe September.”

About This Song

“Maybe September” was written by Percy Faith, with lyrics by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, in 1965 for the movie The Oscar. This movie was Tony’s first (and only) role in a movie, where he played the good guy, an agent named Hymie Kelly. While the film received mixed reviews, the song is very nice.

About This Version

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

Maybe September - Remastered 2003

Listen to Maybe September - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 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 Friday, August 27, 2021, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. The music was composed by Michel Legrand, with original French lyrics by Jacques Demy, who also directed the film. The English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song 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 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977. I think it’s one of Bennett’s most beautiful and touching recordings.

You Must Believe In Spring - Remastered 2003

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

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Song of the Day: Lucky To Be Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 25, 2021, is “Lucky To Be Me.”

About Today

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein: composer, conductor, pianist, and music educator. Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Mass. Unlike most classical musicians, Bernstein loved Broadway. Best known in that genre, he wrote the scores for West Side Story, Wonderful Town, and On The Town, from which our song of the day is chosen.

I grew up watching the Young People’s Concerts on television and credit those shows not only encouraging me to play two instruments but also giving me a lifelong love of all kinds of good music.

About This Song

“Lucky To Be Me” was written for the 1944 musical On The Town by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. This song (as were most of the songs from the score) was cut from the 1949 film.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Lucky To Be Me” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

Lucky To Be Me - Remastered 2003

Listen to Lucky To Be Me - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977

“Lucky To Be Me,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, December 27, 2020, 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 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” 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 Apple Music.

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