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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 16, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: While We’re Young

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alec Wilder, Morty Palitz, Percy Faith, Tony Bennett, William Engvick

November 15, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 16, 2022, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick, in 1944. It 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

In May 1977, Tony Bennett, with his trio, and Marian McPartland and her band (including Jimmy McPartland on cornet) played at the Statler Hilton in Buffalo, NY. In addition to singing, Bennett acted as emcee. The gig was released on Tony Bennett, The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music. It’s a nice mix of vocals and the instrumentals with Marian McPartland are really a joy.

“While We’re Young,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alec Wilder, Marian McPartland, Morty Palitz, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music, William Engvick

May 26, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stay Where You Are

The song of the day for Friday, May 27, 2022, is “Stay Where You Are.”

About This Song

“Stay Where You Are” was written in 1952 by David E. Coleman and William Engvick. Lyricist William Engvick collaborated frequently with composer Alec Wilder, writing lyrics for “While We’re Young” and “A Time For Love,” among others. David Coleman composed popular music in the 1950s, including “Tippy-Toe” and “Soda Pop Hop.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stay Where You Are” on August 26, 1952. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“Stay Where You Are,” as well as all the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 2 is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: David E. Coleman, Percy Faith, Tony Bennett, William Engvick

May 24, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 25, 2022, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. 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. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“While We’re Young,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alec Wilder, Morty Palitz, Percy Faith, Tony Bennett, William Engvick

July 3, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! While We’re Young

The song of the day for Saturday, July 4, 2020, is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written by Alec Wilder, with Morty Palitz and William Engvick, in 1944. It was as 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 that “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” in 1977 in Buffalo, NY, which was Wilder’s home town. In fact, you can hear Bennett call out to Wilder before he starts the song. It was all captured on Tony Bennett, The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music. Currently, it only available in The Complete Improv Collection.

“While We’re Young,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, Tony Live! Tagged With: Alec Wilder, Morty Palitz, Tony Bennett, William Engvick

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