The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, June 21, 2026, 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 August 6, 1954, for his first LP album, Cloud 7, which was released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne, who also played guitar for the album.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Saturday, June 20, 2026, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since it was first published, with recordings from 1924 until the present. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album of George Gershwin music: Love Is Here To Stay. The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums) accompanied the entire album. Charlap wrote the arrangement for this song.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

Paul Whiteman recorded this instrumental of today’s song in October 1924. It’s one of the first recordings of “Somebody Loves Me.”

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Friday, June 19, 2026, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Syne and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Etta James.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 for his album in tribute to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s 1947 version of today’s song.

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought of You

The song of the day for Thursday, June 18, 2026, is “The Very Thought of You.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to honor Sir Paul McCartney on his 84th birthday. He was born in Liverpool, England, on June 18, 1942. We wish you a very happy birthday. You were always my favorite Beatle.

About This Song

“The Very Thought of You” was written by Ray Noble in 1934. This ballad has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Paul MCartney recorded “The Very Thought of You” for the 2006 album Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Very Thought of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

Paul McCartney is no stranger to the Great American Songbook. In 2012, he released Kisses on the Bottom, consisting of standards from the era. One of my favorites from that album is “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” written in 1933 by Harold Arlen, wth lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose.

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Song of the Day: I’m Old Fashioned

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 17, 2026 is “I’m Old Fashioned.”

About This Song

“I’m Old Fashioned” was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Astaire recorded the song first, in 1942 with John Scott Trotter and his orchestra. Other significant recordings include those by Blossom Dearie, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, John Coltrane, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “I’m Old Fashioned” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and led his trio on piano. The trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“I’m Old Fashioned,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred AStaire and Rita Hayworth performing “I’m Old Fashioned” from You Were Never Lovelier.