Why Does It Have To Be Me

Percy Faith

Percy Faith

PROFILE
Songwriters Percy Faith, Carl Sigman
Year Written 1953
About Why Does It Have To Be Me?
Percy Faith and Carl Sigman wrote this song in 1953. While primarily identified with Tony Bennett, it has also been recorded by Nat King Cole.

Lyrics

Why, why, why can’t your careless heart be true
Cry, cry, cry seems that’s all I ever do
Why, why, why can’t you lie to someone new
Why does it have to be me

If you must hurt someone by lying constantly
Why does it have to be me
And if you give somebody’s heart a trying time
Why does it have to be mine

Why, why, why can’t your careless heart be true
Cry, cry, cry seems that’s all I ever do
Why, why, why can’t you lie to someone new
Why does it have to be me

Each time you ask my heart to answer your caress
Why must I always say yes
And if someone has to love you ’til eternity
Why does it have to be me

Why, why, why can’t your careless heart be true
Cry, cry, cry seems that’s all I ever do
Why, why, why can’t you lie to someone new
Why does it have to be me

Session / Album Information

1953

“Why Does It Have To Be Me?” was recorded on October 13, 1953 and released the following year as a single with “Stranger In Paradise.” It was arranged by Percy Faith.

Why Does It Have To Be Me

Listen to Why Does It Have To Be Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

This recording released on:

  • 1954: Columbia 78: 40121
  • 1954: Columbia 45: 4-40121
  • 2004: Sepia Records CD: SEPIA 1028 — The Young Tony Bennett
  • 2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
  • 2011: Disc #5 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK5) The Columbia Singles, Volume 3

Until Yesterday

Guiseppe Fanciulli

Guiseppe Fanciulli

PROFILE
Composer Guiseppe Fanciulli
Lyricist (Italian) Nicola “Nisa” Salerno
Lyricist (English) William Engvick
Year Written 1953
About Until Yesterday
Known in Italian as “Non e la Pioggia,” this song was written by the Italian songwriter Guiseppe Fanciulli, who lived from 1915 to 1973 and wrote popular Italian songs, many of which were used in Italian films, including those by Fellini. The English lyrics for “Until Yesterday” were written by William Engvick.

Lyrics

You let me live in a heaven on earth until yesterday
But now the world I wake to is blue and overcast
You whispered words that went right to my heart until yesterday
It’s wrong for me to cry now; I knew it couldn’t last

I tremble when I think of the hour and the place
Where you said you were through with me
How could you throw away
All the hopes, all the joys, all the love that you knew with me

I used to say that I’d never forgive you for yesterday
There’s nothing to forgive, though, but so much to forget

I’ve tried to say that I’d never forgive you for yesterday
There’s nothing to forgive, though, but so much to forget

Session / Album Information

1953

“Until Yesterday” was recorded on December 4, 1953 and released the following year as a single.

This recording released on:

  • 1954: Columbia 78: 40213
  • 1954: Columbia 45: 4-40213
  • 1959: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1292 — Blue Velvet
  • 2005: ASV/Living Era CD: 5512 — Take My Hand…
  • 2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
  • 2011: Disc #5 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK5) The Columbia Singles, Volume 3

Take Me Back Again

takemeback
PROFILE
Composers Marvin Kahn, Art Harry Berman
Lyricist Redd Evans
Year Written 1954
About Take Me Back Again
“Take Me Back Again” is a quite pleasant song. The lyricist, Redd Evans, may be best known for his lyrics for the song “Rosie The Riveter.”

Lyrics

Take me in your arms again
Hold me to your heart
Kiss me soft and tender
Take me back again

Promise you will love me true
I will promise too
Sealed with sweet surrender
Take me back again

Once we love this before
That was long ago
I am so much wiser now
I won’t let you go

All the pain I’ve brought you, then
I’ll make up to you
Darling if you’ll only
Take me back again

Session / Album Information

1953

“Take Me Back Again” was recorded on December 27, 1953 and released the following year as a single. It was arranged by Percy Faith. Additional vocals are by The Ray Charles Singers.

Take Me Back Again

Listen to Take Me Back Again on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

This recording released on:

  • 1954: Columbia 78: 40272
  • 1954: Columbia 45: 4-40272
  • 1955: Philips 78: PB 420
  • 2006: Naxos Nostalgia CD: 8120803 — While We’re Young: Original Recordings 1950-1955
  • 2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
  • 2011: Disc #5 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK5) The Columbia Singles, Volume 3

Suddenly

Suddenly
PROFILE
Composer Richard Heubereger
Lyricist Dorcas Conhran
Year Written 1953
About Suddenly
Jo Stafford made one of the first recordings of “Suddenly” with the Norman Luboff Choir.

Lyrics

Suddenly the night was very still
Suddenly your touch became a thrill
And suddenly I knew I was part of you
And yet I told my heart, “Be still, be still”
Then suddenly your lips were kissing mine
Suddenly my world became divine
For when I looked around
Then I knew I’d found
Eternity with you so suddenly

Suddenly your lips were kissing mine
Suddenly my world became divine
For when I looked around
Then I knew I’d found
Eternity with you so suddenly

Session / Album Information

1959

“Suddenly” was recorded on November 12, 1959 and was released in 1960 on the album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

This recording released on:

  • 1960: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8226 — To My Wonderful One
  • 1960: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1429 — To My Wonderful One
  • 2011: Disc #16 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK16) To My Wonderful One

Stranger In Paradise

Stranger in Paradise
PROFILE
Songwriters Robert Wright, George Forrest
Composition based on Alexander Borodin: Gilding Dance of the Maidens
Year Written 1953
About Stranger In Paradise
“Stranger in Paradise” was the hugely popular song from the 1953 musical Kismet. The popularity of Kismet is due in large part to Tony Bennett. At the time Kismet was preparing to open, New York City was having a massive newspaper strike and publicizing the opening of the musical was nearly impossible. The producers asked Tony Bennett to record “Stranger in Paradise” to help promote the production. His version was a hit and so was Kismet.

Lyrics

Take my hand,
I’m a stranger in Paradise
All lost in a wonderland
A stranger in paradise
If I stand starry eyed,
That’s a danger in Paradise
Mortals who stand beside
An angels like us

I saw her face
And I ascended
Out of the common place
Into the rarest
Somewhere in space
I hang suspended
Until I know
There’s a chance that she cares

Won’t you answer this fervent prayer?
Of a stranger in paradise
Don’t send me in dark despair
From all that I hunger for
But open your angel’s arms
To this strangers in paradise
And tell us that we need be
Strangers no more

I saw her face
And I ascended
Out of the common place
Into the rarest
Somewhere in space
I hang suspended
Until I know
There’s a chance that she cares

Won’t you answer this fervent prayer?
Of a stranger in paradise
Don’t send me in dark despair
From all that I hunger for
But open your angel’s arms
To this strangers in paradise
And tell us that we need be
Strangers no more

Session / Album Information

1953

“Stranger In Paradise” was recorded on October 13, 1953 and released that same year as a single; the same recording was used on the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. “Stranger In Paradise” was arranged by Percy Faith.

Stranger in Paradise

Listen to Stranger in Paradise on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962

This recording released on:

  • 1954: Columbia 78: 40121
  • 1954: Columbia 45: 4-40121
  • 1955: Philips 78: PB 420
  • 1955: Columbia EP: B-1800 — Hits From Kismet
  • 1955: Columbia LP 10″: CL 2507 — Alone At Last
  • 1958: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8652 — Tony’s Greatest Hits
  • 1958: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1229 — Greatest Hits
  • 1962: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8563 — Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits
  • 1962: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1763 — Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits
  • 1966: CBS LP 12″: DP 66010 — A String Of Tony’s Hits (UK)
  • 1967: Hallmark LP 12″: SHM 769 — The Very Thought Of You
  • 1971: Harmony LP 12″: KH 30758 — The Very Thought Of You
  • 1972: CBS LP 12″: CBS 68200 — All-Time Greatest Hits [UK]
  • 1972: Columbia LP 12″: KG 31494 — All-Time Greatest Hits
  • 1976: Warwick LP 12″: PR 5021 — The Very Best Of Tony Bennett: 20 Greatest Hits [UK]
  • 1976: Warwick/CBS LP 12″: CBS 5021 — The Very Best Of Tony Bennett: 20 Greatest Hits [UK]
  • 1989: CBS Special Products CD: A 20982 — Your Hit Parade – 1954
  • 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
  • 1997: Columbia CD: CK 65316 — All-Time Greatest Hits
  • 1999: Sony International CD: 91207 — The Essential Tony Bennett: A Retrospective
  • 2000: Columbia/Legacy CD: CK 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
  • 2000: Blue Jackel CD: 8427328030137 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits
  • 2000: Sony Music CD: 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett   (
  • 2001: Blue Moon CD: BMCD 8001 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits [Spain]
  • 2002: Columbia/Legacy CD: 86634 — The Essential Tony Bennett
  • 2004: Solo CD: 1214 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits
  • 2004: Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
  • 2004: Blue Moon CD: BMCD 3013 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits [Spain]
  • 2004: Sepia Records CD: SEPIA 1028 — The Young Tony Bennett
  • 2005: ASV/Living Era CD: 5512 — Take My Hand…
  • 2006: RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 84786 — Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Of The ’50s
  • 2006: Naxos Nostalgia CD: 8120803 — While We’re Young: Original Recordings 1950-1955
  • 2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
  • 2008: Columbia/RPM/Legacy CD: 731397 — The Essential Tony Bennett [Limited Edition 3.0]
  • 2011: Disc #21 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK21) Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits

1962

“Stranger in Paradise” was recorded live at Tony Bennett’s concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962 and was initially released in 1962 on the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. Ralph Sharon arranged the song.

Stranger In Paradise (From "Kismet") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Stranger In Paradise (From "Kismet") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962

This recording released on:

  • 1962: CBS LP 12″: BPG62116 — At Carnegie Hall – Part 1 (UK)
  • 1962: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8705 — At Carnegie Hall – vol.1
  • 1962: Columbia LP 12″: C2L 23 — Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall
  • 1962: Columbia LP 12″: C2S 823 — Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall
  • 1986: CBS/Sony CD: 32DP-558 — 16 Most Requested Songs [Japan
  • 1990: Columbia/Legacy CD: CK-40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs
  • 1990: Columbia CD: 40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs
  • 1992: Sony Mid-Price CD: 4724182 — 16 Most Requested Songs
  • 1993: Sony Music Special Products CD: 15056 — Tony Bennett Sings for You
  • 1995: Sony Music CD: WK 75012 — Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall
  • 1997: Columbia CD: C2K 64609 — At Carnegie Hall June 9, 1962: Complete Concert
  • 2001: Sony Music CD: SRCS-9093 — 16 Most Requested Songs
  • 2005: Sony Music CD: 4721952 — 16 Most Requested Songs
  • 2011: Disc #24 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK23) Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall

2011

“Stranger Is Paradise” with Andrea Bocelli was recorded in 2011 and was released that year on Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Stranger In Paradise

Listen to Stranger In Paradise on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli · 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

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