The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Monday, June 2, 2025, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, in 1967 for Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 for their album Look Around. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, June 1, 2025, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor songwriter Bart Howard, born 110 years ago on June 1, 1915, in Iowa. Bart Howard wrote “Fly Me To The Moon” for his partner of 58 years, Thomas Fowler.

About This Song

“Fly Me To The Moon” was written by Bart Howard in 1954. It was originally titled “In Other Words,” but the song was not doing that well, in spite of several recordings. In 1962, Howard renamed the song to “Fly Me To The Moon,” and the song began to catch on. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording for “If I Ruled The World” was a big hit for Bennett. There have been many recordings of the song, including those by Frank Sinatra, Kaye Ballard and many more. However, Bart Howard told Bennett that his 1965 recording was “the definitive performance of this song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fly Me To The Moon” on February 18, 1965, for the album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the excellent arrangement. It’s very fine recording — Bennett’s superb diction is quite special.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Saturday, May 31, 2025, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1943 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. 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 that “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” 74 years ago on May 31, 1951, on both 45- and 78-RPM records. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“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: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, for the 1960 Broadway musical Do Re Mi. The show 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 recorded “Make Someone Happy” on August 28, 1962, at the request of President John F. Kennedy to honor that year’s presidential scholars. The concert was originally to held in the Rose Garden at the White House, it was moved to the Mall near the Washington Monument due to so many people wanting to attend.

The first part of the concert was The Dave Brubeck Quartet; the second part was Tony Bennett, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. The third part was an improv session with Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright (bass), and Joe Morello on drums.

The concert was recorded by Frank Laico from Columbia Records. “That Old Black Magic,” from the improv set was included on the 1971 album Dave Brubeck: Summit Sessions. The original tapes were long thought lost and were only discovered in 2012, soon after Brubeck’s death (they turned up in the classical music archives). The album Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, was released twelve years ago on May 28, 2013.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.

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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.