The Year of Tony Bennett

Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

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The song of the day for February 14, Valentine’s Day, 2017 is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded My Funny Valentine on October 28, 1959 for the album Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1961. I mention the date of the recording session, as Bennett and Sharon recorded sixteen songs that day in a single session. Ralph came with a briefcase full of sheet music and they chose, arranged and recorded those songs in a single session. I would have given anything to have been able to see and hear that session.


“My Funny Valentine,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes each and every reader a very happy Valentine’s Day. We leave you with this Valentine’s Day Google Doodle from 2012.

Song of the Day: Where Or When

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The song of the day for Thursday, July 7, 2016 is “Where Or When.”

About This Song

“Where or When”, by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, was written for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. Benny Goodman recorded “Where or When” in 1941 with a very young Peggy Lee. It is a favorite song of many vocalists and has had many fine recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Or When” in 1959 with just Ralph Sharon in a legendary studio session where the pair recorded nineteen songs in just one day. The result was the sublime album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1962.


“Where Or When,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

Song of the Day: The Lady Is Tramp

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The song of the day for Saturday, July 2, 2016 is “The Lady Is Tramp.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “The Lady Is A Tramp” for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne. More recently, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sang a duet of this song on their 2011 album “Duets II.”

About This Version

Today’s version of “The Lady Is A Tramp” was recorded in 1973 for the album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released in 1975 on Bennett’s own Improv label. Accompanying Bennett on this album is the The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. This quartet, with no piano or drums, is absolutely sublime for this body of Rodgers and Hart recordings.


“The Lady Is Tramp,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s Saturday and our video today is the great duet of “The Lady Is A Tramp” with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, from 2011. This version of our song of the day is by Marion Evans.

Song of the Day: The Lady Is A Tramp

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The song of the day for Saturday, August 15, 2015 is “The Lady Is A Tramp.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “The Lady Is A Tramp” in 1937 for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Today’s version is from 2011, featuring Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga in their first time singing together. Fortunately for us all, it wasn’t the last time this duo charmed us. I love this Marion Evans arrangement: the instrumental in first few bars lets the listener know that something great is about to happen. And it does.


“The Lady Is A Tramp,” as well as Duets II, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s Saturday and that means a video. I hope you enjoy this video of Tony and Lady Gaga. The singers are having a lot of fun and I hope you do too.

Song of the Day: The Lady Is A Tramp

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The song of the day for Saturday, June 6, 2015 is “The Lady Is A Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady Is A Tramp” was written in 1937 for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne. More recently, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sang a duet of this song on their 2011 album “Duets II.”

About This Version

No, it’s not that version (though if that’s what you’re wanting, check the end of the post). Today’s version of “The Lady Is A Tramp” was recorded in 1973 with the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet and was Bennett’s first recording of the song; he also recorded it in 1988 as a duet with Frank Sinatra and again in 1992 for Perfectly Frank. And, of course, in 2011 with Lady Gaga.

I do love this early version–in fact, I love all of these Rodgers and Hart songs from 1973. The quartet led by Ruby Braff and George Barnes evoke the 1930s for me and the songs seem so fresh to me when sung from that perspective. Oh, and he sings the verse!

“The Lady Is A Tramp,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Once again, it’s Saturday and that means video. And since our song is “The Lady Is a Tramp,” what video could more perfect than the duet with Lady Gaga? This version may be new to you; it’s from Lady Gaga’s 2011 Thanksgiving television show. Enjoy!