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 Friday, May 5, 2017 is “My Foolish Heart.”

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.”

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 from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, January 29, 2017 is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “My Foolish Heart,” was written in 1949 by Victor Young and Ned Washington. It was written 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.” The experience of making this film caused Salinger to refuse to allow any of his works to ever be filmed.

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 from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Thursday, January 19, 2017 is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed in 1944 by Victor Young; the lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946. The song as an instrumental was introduced in the 1944 film The Uninvited. The first recording with vocals was made 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” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings, with a terrific arrangement 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 iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Thursday, March 10, 2016 is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

Today’s 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.” Based on his experience with this film, Salinger refused to let any of his works ever be filmed.

About This Version

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

My Foolish Heart

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


“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Complete Tony Bennett Bill Evans Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Monday, November 16, 2015 is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella by Starlight,” composed by Victor Young, was introduced in the 1944 film The Uninvited; the lyrics by Ned Washington 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” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings. The arranger was Ralph Burns, who also arranged Bennett’s 1959 album Hometown, My Town. With Bennett and Burns together, it’s a terrific jazz vocals album.

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 iTunes.

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