The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Sunday, September 13, 2026, is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

“They All Laughed” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 movie Shall We Dance, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “They All Laughed” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement,

“They All Laughed,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, here’s the scene with Astaire and Rogers in Shall We Dance, where “They All Laughed” was introduced.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, September 12, 2026, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written in 1967 by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 released the first recording of “So Many Stars” in 1968. Other recordings include those by Sarah Vaughan, Cleo Laine, Helen Merrill, Susannah McCorkle, Natalie Cole, and Frank Sinatra, Jr.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s “So Many Stars,” recorded by Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 in 1967.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Friday, September 11, 2026, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was composed by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by Ethel Waters.

About This Version

Tony Bennett made his first recording of “Taking a Chance on Love” 70 years ago on September 11, 1956, for his 1957 album Tony. Ray Conniff wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

We have an excellent recording of Ethel Waters singing “Taking a Chance on Love” from the 1943 Cabin In The Sky soundtrack.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Look For The Silver Lining

The song of the day for is “Look For The Silver Lining.”

About This Song

“Look For The Silver Lining” was written by Jerome Kern and Buddy DeSylva for the unsuccessful musical Zip, Goes a Million. They used it again the next year for Sally, where it sung by Marilyn Miller and gained popularity. Significant recordings include those by Susannah McCorkle and Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Look For The Silver Lining” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, accompanied by Bill Charlap, who wrote the arrangement and produced the album.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won The Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Look For The Silver Lining,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

I found this charming 1920 recording of “Look For The Silver Lining” by Marion Harris.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All For You

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, is “All For You.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Susan Benedetto a very happy birthday!

About This Song

“All For You” was composed in 1940 by Django Reinhardt as “Dark Eyes,” with lyrics by Tony Bennett in 2004. Tony Bennett’s son, Danny, had long encouraged his father to write a song. While performing in Hawaii, he dropped into a small jazz club and heard the Django Reinhardt song “Dark Eyes” and felt he had found the right melody for the song he had in mind. The resulting song is really beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All For You” in 2004 for The Art Of Romance. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement.

The Art Of Romancewon the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“All For You,” as well as The Art Of Romance, is available on Apple Music.