The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 19, 2025, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1959 by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmerstedt. The story of this song is legendary in the music business.

Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line ‘I want to be around to pick up the pieces, when somebody breaks yours heart’ and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer. Mercer wrote the melody himself and completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959 and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the royalties to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wanna Be Around” on October 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released 62 years ago on February 18, 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line ‘I want to be around to pick up the pieces, when somebody breaks yours heart’ and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer. Mercer wrote the melody himself and completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959 and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the profits to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

“I Wanna Be Around,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Monday, February 17, 2025, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written by Noël Coward for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Sunday, February 16, 2025, is “While We’re Young.”

About Today

We’re remembering the composer of today’s song, Alec Wilder, who was born 118 years ago on February 16, 1907, in Rochester, NY. Wilder was a noted composer of popular and semi-classical music and an author. His book American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, is the definitive encyclopedia of the American Songbook.

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. James Thurber, a neighbor of Alec Wilder, told him that Engvick’s lyrics to “While We’re Young” was “the finest piece of English writing he knew.”

The song was first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers and again in 1949 by Meredith Willson (who wrote The Music Man) and his Orchestra. Peggy Lee also recorded the song in 1949, but not to Wilder’s liking. Marion McPartland quotes Wilder as telling Miss Lee “The next time you come to the bridge [of the song], jump off!” “While We’re Young” remains popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While We’re Young” on May 31, 1951; it was released as a single (both 78 and 45 RPM) that year. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“While We’re Young,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Saturday, February 15, 2025, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?.”

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello recorded “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” on February 15, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Duets: An American Classic won the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Tony Bennett won the 2007 Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Tony Bennett: An American Classic, featuring the songs and duet partners for the album.

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” as well as Duets: An American Classic is available on Apple Music.

We have the official video for “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” from Duets: An American Classic:

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Song of the Day: Cold, Cold Heart

The song of the day for Friday, February 13, 2025, is “Cold, Cold Heart.”

About This Song

“Cold, Cold Heart” was written in 1951 by Hank Williams. Tony Bennett sang this song regularly in concert and told the story of how Mitch Miller played the song and asked Bennett to record it. Bennett told him he couldn’t sing it, as he wasn’t a country and western singer. He says that Mitch said he’d record it even if he (Mitch) had to tie him to a tree. “And so he tied me to a tree …” Bennett would quip. It really is a beautiful and heartfelt song and was a big hit for Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cold, Cold Heart” on May 31, 1951; it was released as a single. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“Cold, Cold Heart,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

Google created this Google Doodle in 2012, featuring Bennett’s recording of “Cold, Cold Heart.”