The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Moment Of Truth

The song of the day for Thursday, March 26, 2026, is “The Moment Of Truth.”

About This Song

“The Moment Of Truth” was written in 1963 by Tex Satterwhite and Frank Scott. It has also been recorded by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Moment Of Truth” on April 24, 1963, for his album This Is All I Ask. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

This recording was also released on the 1996 CD re-release of I Wanna Be Around.

“The Moment Of Truth,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available on Apple Music.

I found a terrific video of Tony Bennett singing “The Moment Of Truth” on The Ed Sullivan Show on November 24, 1964. Instead of singing on the main stage, Bennett chose to record from wherever the band was instead. The result was fantastic.

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Song of the Day: How Do You Keep the Music Playing

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, on the anniversary of her birth on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennesee.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the movie Best Friends, starring Burt Reynolds.

It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

We have the official video of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” with Tony Bennett and The Queen of Soul:

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Song of the Day: Some Other Spring

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 25, 2026, is “Some Other Spring.”

About This Song

“Some Other Spring” was written in 1939 by Irene Kitchings, with lyrics by Arthur Herzog, Jr. Kitchings, the wife of bandleader Teddy Wilson, and Billie Holiday, who recorded the song in 1939; a link to that recording is included below. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Ben Webster, and Bill Evans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Some Other Spring” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted.

“Some Other Spring,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “Some Other Spring” on July 5, 1939. Here’s that recording.

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Song of the Day: Taking A Chance On Love

The song of the day for Monday, March 23, 2026, is “Taking A Chance On Love.”

About This Song

“Taking A Chance On Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Benny Goodman, Dave Brubeck, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Taking A Chance On Love” on December 30, 1958, for his 1959 album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Taking A Chance On Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

We have a nice video of “Taking A Chance On Love” from the 1943 film of Cabin In The Sky, with Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson:

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Song of the Day: I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So

The song of the day for Sunday, March 22, 2026, is “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So.”

About This Song

“I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” was written in 1945 by Duke Ellington and Mack David. Ellington and Al Hibbler recorded the song first on November 26, 1945. Other notable recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, and Mose Allison.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1945 of “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” with Al Hibbler: