The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, February 20, 2025, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke in 1939. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” on February 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. In addition to Sharon on piano, were Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 19, 2025, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse. The song pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and rather somber lyrics by Hart; in other words, a perfect Rodgers and Hart song. Other notable songs from The Boys of Syracuse include “Sing For Your Supper” and “This Can’t Be Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling In Love With Love” 60 years ago today, on February 19, 1965, along with several other songs for If I Ruled World: Songs For The Jet Set. However, “Falling In Love With Love” was not included on the original LP but was added to the 1997 CD release of the album. Don Costa wrote the excellent arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Falling In Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Monday, February 17, 2025, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written by Noël Coward for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While We’re Young

The song of the day for Sunday, February 16, 2025, is “While We’re Young.”

About Today

We’re remembering the composer of today’s song, Alec Wilder, who was born 118 years ago on February 16, 1907, in Rochester, NY. Wilder was a noted composer of popular and semi-classical music and an author. His book American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, is the definitive encyclopedia of the American Songbook.

About This Song

“While We’re Young” was written in 1944 by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz, with lyrics by William Engvick. James Thurber, a neighbor of Alec Wilder, told him that Engvick’s lyrics to “While We’re Young” was “the finest piece of English writing he knew.”

The song was first recorded in 1944 by the Fred Waring Singers and again in 1949 by Meredith Willson (who wrote The Music Man) and his Orchestra. Peggy Lee also recorded the song in 1949, but not to Wilder’s liking. Marion McPartland quotes Wilder as telling Miss Lee “The next time you come to the bridge [of the song], jump off!” “While We’re Young” remains popular in the American songbook, having been recently recorded by Jane Monheit and Ben Sidron.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While We’re Young” on May 31, 1951; it was released as a single (both 78 and 45 RPM) that year. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“While We’re Young,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Saturday, February 15, 2025, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?.”

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello recorded “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” on February 15, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Duets: An American Classic won the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Tony Bennett won the 2007 Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Tony Bennett: An American Classic, featuring the songs and duet partners for the album.

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” as well as Duets: An American Classic is available on Apple Music.

We have the official video for “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” from Duets: An American Classic: