The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Sweet Georgie Fame

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 12, 2022, is “Sweet Georgie Fame.”

About This Song

“Sweet Georgie Fame” was written in 1966 by Blossom Dearie and Sandra Harris.

Dearie told The New York Times in 1981:

I was in London in 1966, when a bass player told me I should go hear the skiffle, rock, blues and jazz singer Georgie Fame, He said I’d like him, and I did – very much. Then I was visiting a friend, where Georgie Fame’s records were on, and her kids were dancing to them. I got a melody from that, and my friend’s sister, Sandra Black (Harris) wrote words to it.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sweet Georgie Fame” on February 26, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Sweet Georgie Fame,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Home Is The Place

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 11, 2022, is “Home Is The Place.”

About This Song

“Home Is The Place” was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim in 1960. After their collaboration on the brilliant musical Gypsy, Styne expressed an interest in continuing their work together, resulting in two songs: “Home Is The Place” and “Come Over Here.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Home Is The Place” on April 16, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Home Is The Place,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Yesterday I Heard The Rain

The song of the day for Friday, October 7, 2022, is “Yesterday I Heard The Rain.”

About This Song

“Yesterday I Heard The Rain,” or “Esta Tarde Vi Llover” in the original Spanish, was written in 1968 by Armando Manzanero. Gene Lees wrote the English lyrics. Born in 1935, Manzanero studied music in Mexico City and composed his first song at the age of fifteen. At the age of sixteen, he became a professional pianist. His songs, like “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” are beautiful and romantic songs. He is considered to be one of the most successful composers from Latin America.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” on February 26, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Yesterday I Heard The Rain,” as well as the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Only Have Eyes For You

The song of the day for Thursday, October 6, 2022, is “I Only Have Eyes For You.”

About This Song

“I Only Have Eyes For You” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1934 movie Dames, where it was introduced by Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. It has been steadily recorded since 1934 by many singers including Billie Holiday, Bette Midler, Dinah Shore, and Ella Fitzgerald. It’s also been recorded by The Flamingos and even Art Garfunkel. This charming song seems to speak to listeners from all generations.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Only Have Eyes For You” on December 21, 1967, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“I Only Have Eyes For You,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Saturday, March 26, 2022, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and slated for the movie Shall We Dance featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs of filming the sequence. The song faded from then and was only published in 1967. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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