The song of the day for Sunday, February 16, 2025, is “While We’re Young.”
About Today
We’re remembering the composer of today’s song, Alec Wilder, who was born 118 years ago on February 16, 1907, in Rochester, NY. Wilder was a noted composer of popular and semi-classical music and an author. His book American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, is the definitive encyclopedia of the American Songbook.
About This Song
“While We’re Young” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. James Thurber, a neighbor of Alec Wilder, told him that Engvick’s lyrics to “While We’re Young” was “the finest piece of English writing he knew.”
The song was first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers and again in 1949 by Meredith Willson (who wrote The Music Man) and his Orchestra. Peggy Lee also recorded the song in 1949, but not to Wilder’s liking. Marion McPartland quotes Wilder as telling Miss Lee “The next time you come to the bridge [of the song], jump off!” “While We’re Young” remains popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “While We’re Young” on May 31, 1951; it was released as a single (both 78 and 45 RPM) that year. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.
“While We’re Young,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.