The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 24, 2021, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called ‘Queen of the Jukebox.’ She often wrote with Allan Roberts. She was also a talented singer and performer. Other of her songs include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, a tribute to the singer Billie Holiday.

That Ole Devil Called Love

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1945 recording:

That Ole Devil Called Love

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 2017.

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Song of the Day: Poor Butterfly

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 23, 2021, is “Poor Butterfly.”

About This Song

“Poor Butterfly” was written in 1916 by Raymond Hubbell and John Golden. The song was inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Madame Butterfly; the verse references the Puccini melody briefly.The song was written for a 1916 Broadway show called The Big Show, where it was introduced by Sophie Bernard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Poor Butterfly” for his 1960 album Alone Together. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Poor Butterfly – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Poor Butterfly – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Poor Butterfly,” as well as Alone Together, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: We’ll Be Together Again

The song of the day for Monday, February 22, 2021, is “We’ll Be Together Again.”

About This Song

“We’ll Be Together Again” was written by Carl T. Fischer in 1945, who was Frankie Laine’s pianist and musical director. Fischer asked Laine to write the lyrics, which he, quite nicely. In addition to the recording by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, this song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Frankie Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “We’ll Be Together Again” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

We’ll Be Together Again

Listen to We’ll Be Together Again on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1975.

“We’ll Be Together Again,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Sleepin’ Bee

The song of the day for Saturday, February 20, 2021, is “A Sleeping’ Bee.”

About This Song

“A Sleeping’ Bee” was written by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote for the 1954 musical House of Flowers, based on the Truman Capote novella. Set in Haiti, the production featured a trio of steel drummers (more precisely known as pannists) from Trinidad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Sleeping’ Bee” with Ralph Sharon in 1959 for their album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

A Sleepin’ Bee – Remastered

Listen to A Sleepin’ Bee – Remastered on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“A Sleeping’ Bee,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got The World On A String

The song of the day for Friday, February 19, 2021, is “I’ve Got The World On A String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got The World On A String” in 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank.

I’ve Got the World On a String

Listen to I’ve Got the World On a String on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“I’ve Got The World On A String,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

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