The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 8, 2022, is “East of the Sun (West of the Moon).”

About This Song

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” was written by Brooks Bowman in 1934. Bowman wrote “East of the Sun” while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had a great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After he graduated from college in 1936, he worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Frank Sinatra recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in 1940 when he was the boy singer for Tommy Dorsey.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 7, 2022, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. It was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.”Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Perfectly Frank won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Sinatra’s version 1957 recording with the Nelson Riddle arrangement:

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 6, 2022, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1936. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs.

In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.”

Overall, it’s a wonderful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his superb album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Capital City

The song of the day for Monday, December 5, 2022, is “Capital City.”

About This Song

“Capital City” was written by Alf Clausen and Jeff Martin in 1990. Tony Bennett was the first guest star to appear as himself on The Simpsons in the episode “Dancin’ Homer.” “Dancin’ Homer” was the 5th episode in Season 2 of The Simpsons. It originally aired on November 8, 1990.

The song was released as “Dancin’ Homer” in 1997 on the album Songs In The Key of Springfield, released by Rhino Records.

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Song of the Day: The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Saturday, December 3, 2022, is “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1933 movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is very strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in May 1989 and was released the following year on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist is available on Apple Music.

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