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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

November 2, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: As Time Goes By

The song of the day for Thursday, November 3, 2022, is “As Time Goes By.”

About This Song

“As Time Goes By” was written by Herman Hupfeld for the 1931 Broadway musical Everybody’s Welcome. It was a modest hit, with recordings by Rudy Vallee and Binnie Hale. All that changed in 1942, when it was sung by Dooley Wilson in the film Casablanca. Not only was “As Time Goes By” sung; it was a major point plot, as Rick (Humphrey Bogart) has told his pianist Sam (Dooley Wilson) to never ever play that song. Until Rick’s long-lost love, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) comes to Casablanca and Rick’s American Bar asks Sam to play the song. The song provides one of the most misquoted lines in all of film history. Bogart never says “play it again, Sam.” He says “if she can stand it, so can I. Play it Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” The American Film Institute named “As Time Goes By” the second most important song in film, second only to “Over The Rainbow.” Note that Tony Bennett sings the verse for this song, which has seldom been heard, especially since the release of the film Casablanca.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “As Time Goes By” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful. It was arranged and conducted by Torrie Zito.

“As Time Goes By,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Casablanca, Herman Hupfeld, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, Torrie Zito

October 31, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Life Is Beautiful

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 1, 2022, is “Life Is Beautiful.”

About This Song

“Life Is Beautiful” was written in 1974 by Fred Astaire and Tommy Wolf. While we all know Astaire as America’s greatest dancer, his career as a songwriter is not nearly as well-known. Songwriting was a love of his, though. His biographer Roy Pickard quotes Astaire on this: “I’m a frustrated songwriter, and would like to have written a musical comedy score. But that’s just about the only thing I didn’t get done.” “Life is Beautiful” is not only a very well-written song, but achieved great popularity as well, as it became the theme song for the Tonight Show.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Life Is Beautiful” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Life Is Beautiful,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Fred Astaire, Tommy Wolf, Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful

October 28, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Saturday, October 29, 2022, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, released on his Improv label. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Benton Overstreet, Billy Higgins, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, Torrie Zito

December 30, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Friday, December 31, 2021, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921 (100 years ago!) by Bennett Overstreet and Billy Higgins, both African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for the album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, released on Bennett’s Improv label. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

On the last day of 2021, my hope for 2022 is that there’ll be some changes made and we’ll finally start seeing our way of this awful pandemic, or a young girl was quoted on Facebook — “Pandammit.”

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Benton Overstreet, Billy Higgins, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, Torrie Zito

September 13, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 13, 2021, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921 by Benton Overstreet and Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

At 100 years, this song is in no way dated.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for the album Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful”. Torrie Zito wrote the very effective arrangement. The cover features Bennett’s two daughters: Antonia and Joanna.

There"ll Be Some Changes Made

Listen to There"ll Be Some Changes Made on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful” is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Antonia Bennett, Benton Overstreet, Billy Higgins, Joanna Bennett, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, Torrie Zito

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