The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 30. 2024, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” on June 6, 1956, for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 16, 2024, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschitz (as Holt Marvell). This song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper and Johnny Hartman. “These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” on September 12, 1956, for his second album Tony, released in 1957. It was arranged by Ray Conniff. FYI, Doc Severinsen played trumpet on this recording.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Just a Lucky So And So

The song of the day for Thursday, March 14, 2024, is “I’m Just a Lucky So And So.”

About This Song

“I’m Just a Lucky So And So” was written in 1945 by Duke Ellingtonb and Mack David. This song has also been recorded by Billy Eckstine, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So And So” on September 11, 1956, for his second LP album Tony, released on January 14, 1957. It was arranged and conducted by Ray Conniff.

“I’m Just a Lucky So And So,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 12, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About Today

Today’s song was recorded 67 years ago today on September 12, 1956.

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell due to recording contract issues). The song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman.” These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” on September 12, 1956, for his album Tony, which was released in 1957. Ray Conniff wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Sunday, July 2, 2023, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” on June 6, 1956. It was released on Bennett’s album, Tony, released in 1957. It was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith. Bennett was joined on this album by guitarist Chuck Wayne, whom he worked with on Cloud 7; on Tony, Wayne provides a wonderful guitar accompaniment to “Lost in the Stars.”

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony is available on Apple Music.