The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Love Walked In

The song of the day for Friday, July 29, 2022, is “Love Walked In.”

About This Song

“Love Walked In” was written in 1930 by George Gershwin; the lyrics by Ira Gershwin weren’t added until 1937 for the movie The Goldwyn Follies, released in 1938. There have been many fine recordings, including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, and Artie Shaw.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love Walked In” on September 12, 1956, with an arrangement by Ray Conniff. It was released in 1957 on the album Tony.

“Love Walked In,” as well as Tony is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Thursday, July 28, 2022, 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, and released in 1957 on the album Tony. It was arranged by Percy Faith.

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 26, 2022, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, John La Touche, and Ted Fetter for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on September 11, 1956, and released in 1957 on the album Tony. It was arranged by Ray Conniff.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as Tony is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 12, 2021, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” is from the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Kurt Weill wrote the score, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son, in a robbery attempt, kills 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” for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. The very fine arrangement was written by Percy Faith.

Lost In the Stars

Listen to Lost In the Stars on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, January 4, 2021, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (credited as Holt Marvell due to a contract issue). “These Foolish Things” was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’s 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett his first recording of “These Foolish Things” in 1956 for the album Tony. Ray Conniff wrote the orchestration and conducted.

These Foolish Things

Listen to These Foolish Things on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957

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

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites