When Do The Bells Ring For Me?
Charles DeForest
| PROFILE | |
| Composer and Lyricst | Charles DeForest |
| Year Written | 1989 |
| About When Do The Bells Ring For Me? | |
| This song was written by New York cabaret artist Charles DeForest especially for Tony Bennett to sing on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. DeForest got his professional start as a singer for the Benny Goodman Orchestra, but soon set out on his own as a performer in piano bars and cabarets in Manhattan. He won several awards for his cabaret work, including those from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets in 1994 and 1996 and the Mabel Mercer Foundation in 1992. Mr. DeForest died in 1992. “When Do The Bells Ring For Me?” became his signature song. | |
Lyrics
I wonder when do the bells ring for me
When someone tugs a heartstring for me
When does it come the time
When does the poem rhyme
When do the songs they sing seem for me
To those who say “Hey wake up and feel life”
I say I’m ready, to show me the way
Show me those arms that say “Welcome to real life”
And we’ll stay, we’ll stay
How many parties more can I run to
How many little loves can there be
Before its all a bore
Forget it, I want more
I want someone who wants more of me
Like making promises good in the daylight
The thing is here am I, where is she?
When is it my chance
When is it my dance
When do the bells ring for me
Session / Album Information
1989
“When Do The Bells Ring For Me” was recorded on May 18, 1989 and was released the following year on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.
This recording released on:
- 1990: Columbia CD: CK 45348 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist
- 1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5057 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist [Japan]
- 1990: CBS LP 12″: 4660051 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist [UK]
- 1991: Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 1993: CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6641 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 2000: Columbia/Legacy CD: CK 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2000: Sony Music CD: 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2004: Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
- 2008: Columbia/RPM/Legacy CD: 731397 — The Essential Tony Bennett [Limited Edition 3.0]
- 2011: Disc #57 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK56) Astoria: Portrait of the Artist
- 2013: Sony Music Entertainment: 98381 — Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist
- 2013: Sony Music: Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
1994
“When Do The Bells Ring For Me” was recorded and televised live on April 12, 1994 on MTV. This song was not released originally, but was included on the 2006 CD re-release of MTV Unplugged. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.
This recording released on:
- 2006: BMG/Sony Entertainment: #773932 — MTV Unplugged
- 2011: Discs #60/61 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK59) MTV Unplugged
2011
“When Do The Bells Ring For Me” with was recorded in 2011 and was released that year on Duets II. It was arranged by xxx.
This recording released on:
- 2011: RPM Sony 88697662532: Duets II
- 2011: RPM Sony 88697961501: Duets II (LP)
- 2011: Disc #71 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK69) Duets II