The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was written by Victor Young and Ned Washington in 1949 for a widely-panned film of the same name, based on a J.D. Salinger short story. Time magazine excoriated the score: “nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.” Due to this experience, Salinger refused to consider any offers to make films of his works.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, which was released on Fantasy Records, which was Bill Evans label.

“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Monday, February 3, 2025, is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed by Victor Young. in 1944; the lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946. “Stella by Starlight” was introduced in the 1944 film The Uninvited. The song was recorded 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” on April 6, 1961, for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra.

“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When I Fall In Love

The song of the day for Friday, October 11, 2024, is “When I Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“When I Fall In Love” was written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman for the 1952 romantic war film One Minute to Zero, starring Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth. The tagline on the movie poster was “Back of every man of action, there’s a woman made for love.” Well, it was 1952.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When I Fall In Love” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“When I Fall In Love” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 7, 2024, is “Stella By Starlight.”

About Today

My Heart Sings was released sixty-three years ago today on August 7, 1961.

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed in 1944 by Victor Young for the 1944 film The Uninvited. The lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946; Frank Sinatra, with Harry James, recorded it in 1947. 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 standard at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella By Starlight” on April 6, 1961, for My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the band. Notable players for this recording include Milt Hinton, Chuck Wayne, Zoot Sims, Urbie Green, and Eddie Costa.

“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 21, 2024, is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was written by Victor Young and Ned Washington for the 1949 film of the same name, based on a J.D. Salinger short story, Time Magazine excoriated the score: “Nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.