The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Saturday, August 10, 2019, is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written in 1967 by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for the Motown Record’s Jobete publishing company. This song not only found success as a Motown song, with recordings by Stevie Wonder and Jean duShon, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “For Once In My Life” in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life. The arrangement was written by Torrie Zito.

For Once In My Life

Listen to For Once In My Life on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“For Once In My Life,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Love is Here to Stay

The song of the day for Friday, August 9, 2019, is “Love is Here to Stay.”

About This Song

“Love is Here to Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1937 for The Goldwyn Follies movie, which was released after George Gershwin’s death. It’s also known as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” but the published title of the song omits the “Our.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett’s first recording of “Love is Here to Stay” is our choice for the song of the day. He recorded it in 1958 for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. It features an excellent arrangement by Ralph Burns.

Love Is Here To Stay

Listen to Love Is Here To Stay on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959

“Love is Here to Stay,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 7, 2019, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?.”

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written for the 1939 George White’s Scandals by Jack Yellin and Sammy Fain. George White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” on January 5, 1959, with Count Basie and His Orchestra. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. It was released on the album Basie/Bennett, released in 1959.

Are You Havin" Any Fun? - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Are You Havin" Any Fun? - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Got a Right to Sing the Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 6, 2019, is “I Got a Right to Sing the Blues.”

About This Song

“I Got a Right to Sing the Blues” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Broadway show, Earl Carroll’s Vanities. It has been a blues and jazz standard ever since. Notable recordings include those by Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lean Horne, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bonnie Raitt recorded “I Got a Right to Sing the Blues” in 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The recording features Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3.

I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (with Bonnie Raitt)

Listen to I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (with Bonnie Raitt) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bonnie Raitt · 2001

“I Got a Right to Sing the Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: What a Wonderful World

The song of the day for Monday, August 5, 2019, is “What a Wonderful World.”

About This Song

“What a Wonderful World” was written in 1967 by Bob Thiele (as George Douglas) and George David Weiss. Written at a time of great political and racial unrest in America, “What A Wonderful World” was a kind, gentle, and positive song that was very well received. Louis Armstrong recorded it first and it was a big hit for him, selling over a million singles. Even though this song has been recorded by many fine artists, including Tony Bennett, it remains closely identified with Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “What a Wonderful World” in 2002 for their duet album A Wonderful World. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

We are featuring this song in honor of Louis Armstrong, who was born on August 4, 1901. It’s always tough the first of August to schedule it all in, as Tony’s birthday is on August 3. I hope you’ll forgive me for being a day late.

What a Wonderful World

Listen to What a Wonderful World on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002

“What a Wonderful World,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

I found this lovely video of Louis Armstrong singing today’s song. I’m pretty sure you’ll love it.