The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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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Song of the Day: Home is the Place

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 8, 2022, is “Home is the Place.”

About This Song

“Home is the Place” was written in 1960 by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. Styne and Sondheim wrote the score for the brilliant musical Gypsy, which opened in 1959. After that collaboration, Styne expressed an interest in their continuing to work together, resulting in “Home is the Place” and “Come Over Here.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Home is the Place” in 1968 for 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: Get Happy

The song of the day for Saturday, September 18, 2021, is “Get Happy.”

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1930 The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful performance of the in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

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

Get Happy

Tony Bennett · Yesterday I Heard The Rain · Song · 1968

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

And here’s that wonderful performance by Judy Garland from Summer Stock:

https://youtu.be/q7d0NRewzW4

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Saturday, May 15, 2021, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written in 1936 by George and Ira Gershwin. “Hi-Ho” has been called ‘Gershwin’s least known great song’ by blogger Walter Rimler. 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 for 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

Tony Bennett · Yesterday I Heard The Rain · Song · 1968

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