The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 16, 2016 is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “While We’re Young,” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder, Morty Palitz and William Engvick. 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 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 first recorded “While We’re Young” early in his career, in 1951. Today’s recording is his other recording, from a live club appearance in Buffalo, New York and released on Tony Bennett, The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music on Tony’s own Improv label.

While We"re Young - Live

Listen to While We"re Young - Live on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“While We’re Young,” as well as Tony Bennett: The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Alec Wilder was born 109 years ago today, February 16, 1907 in Rochester, New York. He was a member of a prominent family, though he was unhappy enough as a teenager to hire a lawyer and become an emancipated minor and also gained part of the family fortune. He studied composition with professors at the Eastman School of Music, though he was never enrolled nor received a degree.

Wilder’s career is fascinating in that it spanned both popular and classical music. He was a great friend to many of the 20th century’s greatest singers: Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Mabel Mercer and Peggy Lee. He also wrote the pre-eminent American Popular Song, the most important, complete and well-written book on the American Songbook. At the same time, he composed classical music, musicals, film music, opera and art songs.

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to remember the great Alec Wilder on his birthday.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Friday, October 9, 2015 is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “While We’re Young,” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz (music) and William Engvick (lyrics). 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 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

This song was recorded live in May 1977 with Marian and Jimmy McPartland and other musicians. It was released on Improv as Tony Bennett/The McPartlands and Friends Make Magnificent Music. It was the last album released on Improv.

While We"re Young - Live

Listen to While We"re Young - Live on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


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

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for February 16, 2014 is “While We’re Young.”

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was composed by Alec Wilder with 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. Marian 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.

We choose “While We’re Young” in the memory of Alec Wilder, who was born in this day, February 16, in 1907.

About This Version

“While We’re Young” was the first Alec Wilder song that Tony Bennett recorded. Bennett’s producer, Mitch Miller, attended The Eastman School of Music in the same time period, which may explain why Bennett first recorded “While We’re Young” in 1951. This arrangement is by Percy Faith. Tony Bennett went on to record several of Wilder’s best songs, including “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” and “A Child Is Born.”

http://open.spotify.com/track/2Ww8qiPB4maEhv1q0FUqYv
“While We’re Young,” as well as all the songs on The Columbia Singles, Volume 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

As we close out the Tony Bennett 1950s Hit Parade Week at the Year of Tony Bennett, the song of the day for Saturday, January 12, 2013 is While We’re Young.

About While We’re Young

While We’re Young was composed by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. It was first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers (little known fact: the Waring blender was invented by the same Fred Waring) 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 a popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.

Alec Wilder was a composer of amazing breadth and interests. In addition to his popular and jazz music, he also composed operas, film music and classical chamber music. He is also the author of American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900-1950 (available inexpensively on the Kindle platform at Amazon; the book is also available from the publisher Oxford University Press), with an introduction by Gene Lees.

About This Version

Even though While We’re Young wasn’t a hit as far as the charts go, I chose it because it’s a really beautiful song by a great composer. Tony Bennett recorded the song in May 1951 with an arrangement by Percy Faith. It was produced by Mitch Mitchell, who attended the Eastman School of Music with Mr. Wilder.

While We"re Young

Listen to While We"re Young on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

While We’re Young, as well as the full Columbia Singles: Volume 1, is available from iTunes.