The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 22, 2022, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was written in 1949 by Victor Young and Ned Washington 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.” I guess it wasn’t the first, or last, time that Time missed the mark, as this song ranks #6 on the jazzstandards.com website. Significant recordings include those by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett, The Bill Evans Trio, Ann Hampton Calloway, Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole, Chet Baker, and many more.

About This Version

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

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

Here’s the Bill Evans Trio recording of “My Foolish Heart” from 1961, with Paul Motian on drums and Scott LaFaro on bass.

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Song of the Day: Street of Dreams

The song of the day for Monday, February 21, 2022, is “Street of Dreams.”

About This Song

“Street of Dreams” was written in 1932 by Victor Young and Sam M. Lewis. It has a classic depression-era sense, where love is one of the few things that may be impossible for those with money, but “no one is poor as long as love is sure.” Bing Crosby was the first singer to record “Street of Dreams”, though the Russ Columbo recording was also popular.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded “Street of Dreams” for their 1961 album Tony Sings For Two, our album of the week.

“Street of Dreams,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Thursday, October 7, 2021, 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.” In spite of Time’s review of the score, “My Foolish Heart” has been popular with jazz and cabaret singers, and has had many fine recordings, including those by Bing Crosby and Margaret Whiting.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

My Foolish Heart

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975

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

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Song of the Day: Street of Dreams

The song of the day for Thursday, March 18, 2021, is “Street of Dreams.”

About This Song

“Street of Dreams” was written in 1932 by Victor Young and Sam M. Lewis. The song has a classic depression-era sense, where love is one of the few things that may be impossible for those with money, but “no one is poor as long as love is sure.” Bing Crosby was the first singer to record “Street of Dreams”, though the Russ Columbo recording was also popular.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Street of Dreams” with Ralph Sharon for their legendary (and impeccable) album Tony Sings For Two. The entire album was recorded on October 28, 1959 (under the protest of Bennett’s producer Mitch Miller), though the album wasn’t released until February 6, 1961. It is very close to perfect in every way.

Street of Dreams

Listen to Street of Dreams on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961

“Street of Dreams,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Sunday, March 7, 2021, is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed by Victor Young for the film The Uninvited. Ned Washington’s lyrics were added in 1946. 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” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. The arrangement was written 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 Apple Music.