The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 18, 2022, is “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

Harry Warren and Al Dubin wrote “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in 1933 for the 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 1946 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 “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” on April 17, 1950, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released as a single on May 22, 1950.

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as the songs collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 17, 2021, is “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About This Song

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1928 revue Blackbirds of 1928, produced by Lew Leslie. The song was the first big hit for this songwriting pair. It has been a widely recorded jazz and popular standard, with recordings by Ukelele Ike, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Anita O’Day, and many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” on April 17, 1950, with an arrangement by Marty Manning. This was Bennett’s first session with Columbia Records.

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” as well as the other singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Saturday, May 14, 2022, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Go To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. Written by the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus is Coming To Town,” “You Go to My Head” is a well-respected popular song. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder called it “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “You Go To My Head” in 1957 for The Beat of My Heart. Today’s version, though, is from 1992 for Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the very fine arrangement.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Thursday, Mary 12, 2022, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written in 1936 by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film Swing Time; the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” Dorothy Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting. It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” in 1997 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for My Best Friend’s Wedding soundtrack.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 11, 2022, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1964. In the year 2000, part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which are songs that Tony Bennett has recorded including “When In Rome.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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