The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Friday, May 14, 2021, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Bob Russell. Originally written as an instrumental, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! The wonderful Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

Don"t Get Around Much Anymore

Listen to Don"t Get Around Much Anymore on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, April 25, 2021, is “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.”

About This Week

This week we are celebrating the life of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, who was born in Washington. D.C., on April 29, 1899. He was one of America’s great composers, bandleaders, and pianists. Tony Bennett had a close friendship with Duke Ellington and recorded many of his songs, starting with today’s song “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.” We’ll also be including, when possible, recordings of Ellington’s orchestras playing the songs of the day.

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart” in 1938, with lyrics by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. It was a major hit for Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording that year, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song as one of his eleven favorites.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart” in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! It was arranged by Marion Evans, marking the first time they worked together.

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

Listen to I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s original instrumental recording from 1938:

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

Listen to I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 2007

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, December 6, 2020, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane, with lyrics by Yip Harburg, for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Old Devil Moon” in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! It features a wonderful arrangement by our good friend Marion Evans.

Old Devil Moon

Listen to Old Devil Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

The song of the day for Monday, October 5, 2020, is “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart.”

About This Song

“I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington; the lyrics were written by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. It was a major hit for Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording that year, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song as one of his eleven favorites.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart” in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans arranged the album and conducted as well. Like all of the work Evans did for Bennett, the arrangement is just great.

“I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Thursday, June 25, 2020, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was introduced in Lew Leslie’s International Revue. It was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! Friend of this site Marion Evans arranged and conducted this song, as well as the entire album.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.