The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Cheek to Cheek

he song of the day for Monday, May 11, 2026,”Cheek to Cheek.”

About Today

We have another birthday today: Irving Berlin. Israel Isidor Beilin was born in Tyumen, Russia, on May 11, 1988. His family emigrated to the US in 1893, settling in New York. The family name was changed to Berlin when they were naturalized.

You can read more about Irving Berlin at irvingberlin.com.

About This Song

“Cheek to Cheek” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where it was introduced (beautifully) by Fred Astaire. Though the song was nominated for an Academy Award (it lost to “Lullaby Of Broadway”), it became a hit in 1935 and has remained popular to this day. Significant recordings include those by Harry James, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Bing Crosby and many, many more. Fans of the Tom Hanks’ movie The Green Mile might remember this song, as Top Hat is viewed in the prison. For many, it is one of the very first songs that comes to mind when one thinks of Fred Astaire and the 1930s Hollywood musical.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cheek to Cheek” in May 1987 for his tribute to Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin, featuring George Benson on guitar. Bennett wrote the arrangement.

“Cheek to Cheek,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Of course, here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “Cheek to Cheek” from Top Hat.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, May 10, 2026, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to to remember the great Fred Astaire, who was born on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska. His 76-year career was remarkable; Astaire was a dancer, singer, actor, singer, musician, and choreographer. His awards include three Emmy Awards, two Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, a BAFTA award, and an honorary Academy Award.

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder describes it as “a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 for Steppin’ Out, Bennett’s tribute to Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

We have the video of Fred Astaire‘s and Cyd Charisse‘s performance of “Dancing in the Dark “from the 1953 film The Band Wagon. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of most beautiful dances ever filmed.

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Song of the Day: Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

The song of the day for Saturday, May 9, 2026, is “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea”

About This Song

“Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1931 for the Cotton Club production RhythMania. It was recorded in the first few years by Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. The Benny Goodman recording, with vocals by Helen Ward, is also well-regarded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” on September 4, 1964, for Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Louis Armstrong’s 1932 recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought of You

The song of the day for Friday, May 8, 2026, is “The Very Thought of You.”

About This Song

“The Very Thought of You” was written in 1934 by the British composer and band leader Ray Noble. Noble recorded it in 1934 with his own orchestra and Al Bowlly on vocals; 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 recorded “The Very Thought of You” in Fall 1965 for his 1966 album A Time For Love. Johnny Keating wrote the arrangement; the recording features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Very Thought of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, May 7, 2026, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Willard Robison. Other Robison songs include “Don’t Smoke In Bed” and “A Cottage for Sale.” Alec Wilder wrote this about Willard Robison in American Popular Song:

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” on March 16 1962, for On The Glory Road, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. Just days before the album was to be released, Columbia pulled the album. The 2011 Complete Collection box set included the album, which is now available from most streaming services.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On the Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.