The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: (It’s Only) A Paper Moon

The song of the day for is “(It’s Only) A Paper Moon.”

About This Song

“(It’s Only) A Paper Moon” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. Originally written for an unsuccessful play called The Great Magoo, this song was used in the 1933 movie Take a Chance. Paul Whiteman recorded it that year. There were two very fine recordings in the 1940s by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, which sealed the popularity of the song. Since that time, it has been a popular and jazz favorite that has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “(It’s Only) A Paper Moon” in The Playground, an album for children. The Ralph Sharon Quartet accompanied Bennett, with Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“(It’s Only) A Paper Moon,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 8, 2025, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Edgar Yipsel (Yip) Harburg on the anniversary of his birth in New York City on April 8, 1896. We’ve provided a link to biographical information about Yip Harburg. But I do want to add a little factoid: Yip and Ira Gershwin attended high school together and worked together on the school newspaper. They were lifelong friends.

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. During studio previews, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed down the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over the Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over the Rainbow” in July 1995 for Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett recorded songs associated with prominent 20th-century female singers. “Over the Rainbow” was included in tribute to Judy Garland.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a couple of great videos today.

First up, here’s Judy Garland singing this song from The Wizard of Oz:

And here is Yip Harburg talking about this song on a 1979 television program featuring popular ong lyricists:

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Monday, March 3, 2025, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” on January 18, 1967, for his album Tony Makes It Happen!. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Right As The Rain

The song of the day for Saturday, January 25, 2025, is “Right As The Rain.”

About This Song

“Right As The Rain” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1944 Broadway musical Bloomer Girl.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Right As The Rain” on August 17, 1960, for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. The album was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

“Right As The Rain,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Friday, January 9, 2025, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations, and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Good Does It Do” on August 18, 1960, for his album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. The album was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available on Apple Music.