The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Russian Lullaby

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 4, 2025, is “Russian Lullaby.”

About This Song

“Russian Lullaby” was written in 1927 by Irving Berlin. With this song, Berlin (born Isador Beilin) explored his childhood roots as an Eastern European/Belarusian Jewish immigrant. The song is like a folk melody, and the lyrics are lovely. “Russian Lullaby” was first used in vaudeville and gained recognition with the recording by Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra. It has also been recorded by Bunny Berigan, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, and Dinah Shore, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, recorded “Russian Lullaby” in May 1987 for his album of Irving Berlin songs, Bennett/Berlin.

“Russian Lullaby,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

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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: Speak Low

The song of the day for Sunday, March 2, 2025, is “Speak Low.”

About Today

We are remembering the composer of today’s song, Kurt Weill. Weill was born in Germany on March 2, 1950. While living in Germany, he worked with Bertold Brecht on The Threepenny Opera, including its famous song, “Mack The Knife.” Weill, who was Jewish, fled Germany in 1933. With his wife, Lotte Lenya, he moved to New York in 1935 and continued writing for films and the stage. His American works include One Touch Of Venus, Lost in the Stars, and Knickerbocker Holiday. Weill died in 1950 from a heart attack.

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and poet Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Speak Low” on March 28, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums, accompanied Bennett on this album.

“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Wished on the Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, March 1, 2025, is “I Wished on the Moon.”

About This Song

“I Wished on the Moon” was written in 1935 by Ralph Rainger and Dorothy Parker (yes, that Dorothy Parker). The song was first recorded in 1935 by Ruth Etting. Bing Crosby sang it in The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Billie Holiday, Art Pepper, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wished on the Moon” in June 1992 for Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I Wished on the Moon,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You’re All the World to Me

The song of the day for Friday, February 28, 2025, is “You’re All the World to Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All the World to Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’re All the World to Me” live on April 12, 1994, for his appearance on Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged won two 1994 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“You’re All the World to Me,” as well as Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, the dancing on the ceiling dance number.