The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Dream

The song of the day for Saturday, April 19, 2025, is “Dream.”

About This Song

“Dream” was written by Johnny Mercer in 1944. It’s one of the rare songs where Mercer wrote both the lyrics and the music; others include “Harlem Butterfly” and “I Wanna Be Around.” This song has been recorded by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, The Pied Pipers, Roy Orbison, and Ringo Starr.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dream” on October 1, 1971; it was released the following year on With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Dream,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Twilight World

The song of the day for Thursday, March 20, 2025, is “Twilight World.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is happy and proud to honor the great Marian McPartland on the anniversary of her birth on March 20, 1918. She did it all: jazz pianist, composer, author, and radio presenter. Her Piano Jazz program on NPR was the catalyst that made me a jazz fan.

About This Song

“Twilight World” was composed by Marian McPartland in 1957, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The tune itself is a lovely mid-tempo ballad, often played in a bossa nova style. The Mercer lyrics are quite good, and the combination makes for a nearly perfect jazz song. Tony Bennett said “Well, that song will last forever. It’s a beautiful song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Twilight World” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Twilight World,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett was McPartland’s guest on Piano Jazz in 1990. We’re very pleased to be able to include that episode in the post.

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Song of the Day: Here’s That Rainy Day

The song of the day for Sunday, October 20, 2024, is “Here’s That Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“Here’s That Rainy Day” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1953 Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders, which only ran for six performances. This song, however, is quite good and has remained a popular ballad over the years. In addition to Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by those such as Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Lawrence, Billy Eckstine, and Ann Hampton Calloway. The song has also proved a favorite of jazz instrumentalists, including Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, and Art Pepper, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Here’s That Rainy Day” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, which was released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Here’s That Rainy Day,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 7, 2024, is “Maybe This Time.”

About This Song

“Maybe This Time” was written in 1963 by John Kander and Fred Ebb. The song was used in the film version of Cabaret, though not in the original production. Nor was it written especially for the film version; Kander and Ebb had written the song in 1963 for Kaye Ballard. It was therefore not eligible for consideration for an Academy Award. The song is, of course, widely associated with Liza Minnelli, who sang it in the film version of Cabaret.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Maybe This Time” for the first time on February 26, 1972, for his album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement. He recorded again for Here’s To The Ladies, released in 1995.

“Maybe This Time,” as well as Maybe This Time, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Remind Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 1, 2024, is “Remind Me”

About This Song

“Remind Mw” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1940 movie musical One Night In the Tropics, though the song wasn’t used well and was not immediately successful. Mabel Mercer recorded it towards the end of the 1940s and it is now considered one of the popular standards. It has also been recorded by Jeri Southern and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Remind Me” on October 1, 1971, and was released the following year on the album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangemet.

“Remind Me” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.