The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Until I Met You

The song of the day for Saturday, January 21, 2017 is “Until I Met You.”

About This Song

“Until I Met You” was written in 1956 by Freddie Green and Donald E. Wolf. This song is also known as “Corner Pocket.” Freddie Green played rhythm guitar for the Count Basie Orchestra for fifty years. This song has also been recorded by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Sarah Vaughan, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Until I Met You” in 1962. The song was recorded for the album On The Glory Road, but that album was pulled by Columbia at the last minute. Some of the songs from that album found their way onto later albums; this song was released on I Wanna Be Around in 1963. On The Glory Road was released with the 2011 Complete Collection and now, thankfully, available on iTunes.

Until I Met You

Listen to Until I Met You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“Until I Met You,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from iTunes.

I know it’s Saturday, but, alas, I have no video. What I do have is Freddie Green and Count Basie … Enjoy!

Corner Pocket

Listen to Corner Pocket on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Freddie Green · 2013

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Friday, January 20, 2017 is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “That Ole Devil Called Love,” was written in 1944 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Composer Doris 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.” “That Ole Devil Called Love” was a favorite of Billie Holiday, who first recorded it in 1944.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in 1996 for his album of songs associated with Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

That Ole Devil Called Love

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


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

As a Friday treat, here’s Lady Day singing today’s song:

That Ole Devil Called Love - Single Version

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love - Single Version on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday · 2009

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Thursday, January 19, 2017 is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed in 1944 by Victor Young; the lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946. The song as an instrumental was introduced in the 1944 film The Uninvited. The first recording with vocals was made in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It found its way as a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella By Starlight” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings, with a terrific arrangement by Ralph Burns.

Stella By Starlight

Listen to Stella By Starlight on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 18, 2017 is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Right To Love,” was written in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin with lyrics by Gene Lees. According to the website filmscoremonthly, this song has an interesting history. It was first recorded, without lyrics, in 1963 on an album called Reflections by Stan Getz and Lalo Schifrin. Tony Bennett liked the song from the beginning and suggested that Gene Lees write the lyrics. The resulting song is an anthem for “forbidden” love. At that time, most people associated the song with interracial relationships; in later years, it has also been sung by gay singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae and k.d. lang.

“The Right To Love” is most searched-for song title on both this website as well as our sister site The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Right To Love” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa scored the arrangement.

The Right To Love

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 17, 2017 is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars,” was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling and the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning did the arrangement.

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

Listen to Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

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