The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Monday, February 6, 2023, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1947 movie The Road to Rio, where it was sung by Bing Crosby. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “But Beautiful” in June 1975 for their album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, February 5, 2023, is “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart.”

About This Song

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” was written in 1931 by James P. Johnson and Flournoy Earkin Miller. Johnson, a composer who was also known as a Harlem Stride pianist, collaborated with author and producer Miller to produce the Sugar Hill revue in 1931 for this song. Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” as a duet with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra in 1949 on the Decca label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” in March 2002 for the album A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” as well as A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Louis Armstrong and Billy Holiday 1949 duet of “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” on the Decca label:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Saturday, February 4, 2023, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” While the reviewers were not kind to the production, the score was then, and remains still, quite noteworthy. Even though Fields’ lyrics for the song are very fine, the early recordings of the song were mostly instrumentals, such as that by Louis Armstrong. The song became popular again in 1936, with a fine recording by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959), and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.


“Exactly Like You,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

We’ve also got Armstrong’s 1930 recording on the Okey label.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: La Vie En Rose

The song of the day for Friday, February 3, 2023, is “La Vie En Rose.”

About This Song

“La Vie En Rose” was written in 1946 by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy). Edith Piaf wrote the French lyrics; Mack David wrote the English lyrics.

While now considered one of Edith Piaf’s most identifiable songs (taking second place only to “Non, je ne regrette rein”), this song had a slow and somewhat troubled beginning. The lyric came to Miss Piaf in 1944. She worked with Louiguy on the melody. At the time the song was written, only Louiguy, as neither Piaf or Monnot were qualified to copyright their work under the auspices of Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique, the official French association. Initially, the song was thought to be weak as compared to the rest of her repertoire and she was encouraged to not sing it at her concerts. She did not sing it publicly until 1946 and it quickly became a favorite of audiences. She finally recorded the song in 1947. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “La Vie En Rose” in May 2002 for their album Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz; Lee Musiker wrote the arrangements and served as musical director.

“La Vie En Rose,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Armstrong’s 1951 recording:

And here’s Edith Piaf’s 1947 recording:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, February 2, 2023, is “Day Dream.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is celebrating the anniversary of the birth of tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, who was born on February 2, 1927.

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

In 1964, Tony Bennett got together with a remarkable group of jazz musicians to record a series of songs, including today’s song, “Day Dream.” Playing with Bennett were Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor saxophone), Ron Carter (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums).

They recorded “Day Dream” on May 25, 1964, which also featured an unnamed trombone player. These recordings weren’t released until 2011 in the Complete Collection box set, on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites