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

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, is “Cheek to Cheek.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “Cheek To Cheek” 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 and Lady Gaga recorded “Cheek to Cheek” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. It was arranged by the great Marion Evans.

“Cheek to Cheek,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

And here’s Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from Top Hat:

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 19, 2023, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” on March 26, 1964, for his album Tony Sings For Two. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Monday, September 18, 2023, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written in 1929 by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb.
It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it is sometimes sung with plans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

We have this video of Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan performing today’s song from the 1953 film The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: Bewitched

The song of the day for Sunday, September 16, 2023, is “Bewitched.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor one of Tony Bennett’s greatest collaborators: Ralph Sharon, who was born in London on September 17, 1925. He served as Bennett’s pianist, musical director, and arranger for many years, starting in 1958.

About This Song

“Bewitched” (also known by its full name “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”) was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the the 1940 musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Vivienne Segal. Notable recordings are by Benny Goodman, Mel Tormé, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder admired the lyric and the verse, but found the song “notey.” In spite of being notey, it’s a cornerstone of the American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded “Bewitched” on October 28, 1959. They wanted to an album of songs from the Great American Songbook, without any other accompaniment, other than Sharon. Bennett’s producer, Mitch Miller, showed up and said to the Frank Laico, who recorded the session, “I’m leaving. I can’t support this.”

The resulting album, Tony Sings For Two, was released in 1961.

“Bewitched,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Let The Good Times Roll

The song of the day for Saturday, September 16, 2023, is “Let The Good Times Roll.”

About Today

Today we are pleased to honor the late (and great) B.B. King (Riley B. King), who was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi on September 16, 1925. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and is one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname “The King of the Blues.”

About This Song

This song, known as a “jump blues” song, was written in 1946 by Sam Theard, a New Orleans singer and songwriter, with his wife, Fleecie Moore. Residents and visitors to New Orleans may be more familiar with the French version of the saying: Laissez le bon temps rouler. The first recording was in 1946 by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five. The song charted well on the Billboard R&B chart. Other recordings include those by Ray Charles, George Fame and the Blue Flames, Muddy Waters, and Clifton Chenier. B.B. King recorded “Let The Good Times Roll” in 1999.

About This Version

Tony Bennet and B.B. King recorded “Let The Good Times Roll” in May 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings The Blues. And Bennett certainly could sign this blues, exemplified on this album.

Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings The Blues won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Let The Good Times Roll,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

This video clip from the film Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll shows B.B. King performing “Let The Good Times Roll,” filmed in Italy in 1989.

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