When Lights Are Low

Benny Carter in 1946

PROFILE
Composer	Benny Carter
Lyricist	Spencer Williams
Year Written	1936
About When Lights Are Low
“When Lights Are Low” was written in 1936, while both Carter and Williams were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger for the BBC during that time.

Lyrics

Listen how our happy hearts are beating
Like the ocean beats upon the sand
And our feet in rhythm keep repeating
Every little movement of the bandSweet music soft and mellow
Soothing and slow
Strains of a mellow cello
When lights are lowDear, we’re so close together
I love you so
Why think about the weather
When lights are low?Who hearts revealing
Music hath charms
Life’s so appealing
With inspiration in your armsOur lips meeting soft and tender
Love’s all aglow
Why shouldn’t we surrender
When lights are low?

Sweet music soft and mellow
Strains of a mellow cello

I mean dear, we’re so close together
Why think about the weather
When lights are low?

Who hearts revealing
Music hath charms
Life’s so appealing
With inspiration in your arms

Our lips meeting soft and tender
Love’s all aglow
Why shouldn’t we surrender
When lights are low?
When lights are low?

Session / Album Information

1964

“When Lights Are Low” was recorded on March 26, 1964 and released in 1964 on the album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

This recording released on:

1964: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8975 — When Lights Are Low
1964: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 2175 — When Lights Are Low
1987: CBS LP 12″: 4504651 — Jazz (UK)
1987: Columbia LP 12″: C2 40424 — Jazz
1987: Columbia CD: CGK 40424 — Jazz
1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5242 — When Lights Are Low [Japan]
1998: Columbia CD: CK 65049 — This Is Jazz #33
2006: RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 69699 85807 2 — When Lights Are Low
2011: Disc #29 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK28) When Lights Are Low

The Way You Look Tonight

PROFILE
Composer	Jerome Kern
Lyricist	Dorothy Fields
Year Written	1936
About The Way You Look Tonight
“The Way You Look Tonight” was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film Swing Times; the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” Dorothy Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting. It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra.

Lyrics

Someday when I’m awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight

Oh, but you’re lovely
With your smile so warm and your cheek so soft
There is nothing for me, but to love you
Just the way you look tonight

With each word your tenderness grows
Tearing my fear apart
And that laugh, that wrinkles your nose
It touches my foolish heart

Lovely, never never change
Keep that breathless charm
Won’t you please arrange it because I, I love you?
Just the way you look tonight
Just the way you look tonight

Session / Album Information

1958

“The Way You Look Tonight” was recorded on April 7, 1958 and released in 1958 on the album Long Ago and Far Away. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

The Way You Look Tonight
Listen to The Way You Look Tonight on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1958

This recording also released on:

1958: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1186 — Long Ago And Far Away
2011: Disc #12 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK2) Long Ago and Far Away

ca. 1997

“The Way You Look Tonight” was recorded on ca. 1997 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the film My Best Friend’s Wedding, released in 1997.

The Way You Look Tonight
Listen to The Way You Look Tonight on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2012

This recording released on:

2011: Disc #2 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK2) Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2

2011

“The Way You Look Tonight” with Faith Hill was recorded in 2011 and was released that year on Duets II.

The Way You Look Tonight
Listen to The Way You Look Tonight on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Faith Hill · 2011

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
2013: Columbia/Legacy – Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett

2012-1

“The Way You Look Tonight” was recorded in 2012 with Thalia and released on Viva Duets.

The Way You Look Tonight (with Thalia)
Listen to The Way You Look Tonight (with Thalia) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Thalia · 2012

This recording released on:

2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88725473102 – Viva Duets
2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765400972 – Viva Duets (Target Release)
2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765402412 – Viva Duets (Deluxe edition)

2012-2

“The Way You Look Tonight” was recorded in 2012 with Thalia, with just a guitar accompaniment. This arrangement was released on the deluxe version of Viva Duets.

This recording released on:

2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765400972 – Viva Duets (Target Release)
2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765402412 – Viva Duets (Deluxe edition)

The Touch Of Your Lips

PROFILE
Composer and Lyricist	Ray Noble
Year Written	1936
About The Touch Of Your Lips
Ray Noble was a popular English bandleader who became quite popular in the US as well. After great success in London, he and his vocalist Al Bowlly appeared at the Rainbow Room in 1934. “The Touch of Your Lips” has been recorded by Chet Baker, Nat King Cole and Andy Williams.

Lyrics

The touch of your lips upon my brow,
Your lips that are cool and sweet,
Such tenderness lies in their soft caress,
My heart forgets to beat.

The touch of your hands upon my head,
The love in your eyes a-shine,
And now, at last, that moment divine,
(That look in your eyes)
The touch of your lips on mine.

Session / Album Information

1975-1

“The Touch of Your Lips” was recorded in June, 1975 and was released that year on The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album.

The Touch Of Your Lips
Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975

This recording released on:

1975: Fantasy LP 12″: F 9489 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
1984: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab LP 12″: MFSL-1-117 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
1991: Fantasy CD: OJCCD-439-2 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
1992: Fantasy/OJC CD: OJCCD 439 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
2000: Fantasy CD: 204392 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
2001: JVC XRCD CD: JVCXR-020802 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
2006: Concord CD: CCD-6023-2 — Tony Bennett Sings For Lovers
2006: Fantasy CD: FCD-30177 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
2009: Concord CD: FAN-31281 — The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings
2011: Disc #52 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK51) The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album

1975-2

“The Touch of Your Lips” (alternate take #1) was recorded in June, 1975 and was released that year on The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album.

The Touch Of Your Lips - Take 1
Listen to The Touch Of Your Lips - Take 1 on Spotify. Song · Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · 1975

This recording released on:

2006: Fantasy CD: FCD-30177 — The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album
2009: Concord CD: FAN-31281 — The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings
2011: Disc #52 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK51) The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album

They Can’t Take That Away From Me

PROFILE
Composer	George Gershwin
Lyricist	Ira Gershwin
Year Written	1936
About They Can’t Take That Away From Me
This song was written for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

Lyrics

The way she wears her hat
The way she sips her tea
The memory of all that
No, no, they can’t take that away from me

The way her smile just beams,
The way she sings off key,
The way she haunts my dreams,
No, no, they can’t take that away from me

We may never, never meet again
On that bumpy road to love
Still I’ll always, always keep the memory of

The way she holds her knife
The way we danced till three
The way she changed my life
No, no, they can’t take that away from me!
No, they can’t take that away from me!

We may never, never meet again
On that bumpy road to love
Still I’ll always, always keep the memory of

The way she holds her knife
The way we danced till three
The way she changed my life
No, no, they can’t take that away from me!
No, they can’t take that away from me!

Session / Album Information

1967

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was recorded on October 16, 1967 and released that year on the album For Once In My Life. It was arranged by Torrie Zito.

They Can"t Take That Away From Me
No Description

This recording released on:

1967: Columbia LP 12″: CS 9573 — For Once In My Life
1967: Columbia LP 12″: CL 2773 — For Once In My Life
1967: CBS LP 12″: SBPG 63166 — For Once In My Life (UK)
1967: CBS LP 12″ (Mono): BPG 63166 — For Once In My Life [UK]
1971: Columbia LP 12″: C 30558 — Love Story
1989: Columbia House Music Collection CD: C21 7925 — The Great American Composers: George and Ira Gershwin
2007: Sony Music CD: 715320 — Sings the Ultimate American Songbook, Vol. 1
2009: Beat Goes On CD: 886 — For Once In My Life/I’ve Gotta Be Me [UK]
2011: Disc #35 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK34) For Once In My Life
2011: Disc #41 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK40) Love Story

1993

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was recorded in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

They Can"t Take That Away from Me
No Description

This recording released on:

1993: Columbia CD: CK 57424 — Steppin’ Out
2011: Disc #59 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK58) Steppin’ Out

1994

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was recorded and televised live on April 12, 1994 on MTV. The song was recorded as a duet with Elvis Costello. The MTV Unplugged album was released in June of that year. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

They Can"t Take That Away From Me - Live Version
No Description

This recording released on:

1993: Columbia CD: CK 66214 — MTV Unplugged
2011: Discs #60/61 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK59) MTV Unplugged

2011

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was recorded in 2011 with Brad Paisley and was released that year on Duets II. This recording released on:

2011: RPM Sony: Duets II (Target Release)

These Foolish Things

PROFILE
Composer	Jack Strachey
Lyricist	Eric Maschwitz (as Holt Marvell)
Year Written	1936
About These Foolish Things
Although written and first performed in 1936, “These Foolish Things” was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper and Johnny Hartman.”These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.org and is still widely played and recorded.

Lyrics

A cigarette that bears a lipstick’s traces,
An airline ticket to romantic places,
And still my heart has wings…
These foolish things remind me of you.

A tinkling piano in the next apartment,
Those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant,
A fairground’s painted swings…
These foolish things remind me of you.

You came, you saw,
You conquered me.
When you did that to me,
I knew somehow this had to be.

The winds of march that make my heart a dancer,
A telephone that rings,
And who’s to answer?
Oh, how the ghost of you clings…
These foolish things remind me of you.

How strange, how sweet
To find you still,
These things are dear to me,
They seem to bring you near to me.

The sigh of midnight trains in empty stations,
Silk stockings thrown aside, dance invitations.
Oh, how the ghost of you clings!
These foolish things remind me of you…

Session / Album Information

1956

These Foolish Things was recorded on September 12, 1956 and released in 1957 on the album Tony.

These Foolish Things
Listen to These Foolish Things on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957

This recording released on:

1957: Columbia LP 12″: CL 938 — Tony
2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
2008: Not Now Music CD: NOT3CD010 — Three Original Hit Albums [UK]
2011: Disc #10 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK10) Tony

1996

“These Foolish Things” was recorded in June 1996 and released in 1997 on the album Tony Bennett On Holiday. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
Listen to These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1997

This recording released on:

1997: Columbia CD: CK 67774 — On Holiday
2011: Disc #63 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK61) On Holiday