The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington. Originally written as an instrumental, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Bob Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” on January 27, 1967, for Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Monday, April 20, 2026, is “It Had To Be You.”

About Today

Today’s song is from Bennett’s album When Lights Are Low, which was released 64 years ago on April 20, 1964. It’s a fine album made with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums) and a jazz-oriented selection of songs.

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. This popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards, and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several fiLms, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” on March 24, 1964, for When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then and Now Is Now

The song of the day for Sunday, April 19, 2026, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About Today

Sixty-one years ago on April 19, 1965, Columbia Records released one of most favorite Tony Bennett albums, If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set.

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee. Lee released it on an album of the same name in 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now Is Now” on February 18, 1965, for If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

And here is Miss Peggy Lee singing her own song on Then Was Then (and Now Is Now).

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Song of the Day: Spring in Manhattan

The song of the day for Saturday, April 18, 2026, is “Spring in Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Spring in Manhattan” was written in 1963 by Anthony Scibetta and Alice Reach.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring in Manhattan” on April 8, 1963, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. It was released as a single in 1963 and was also added to the 1964 album The Many Moods of Tony.

“Spring in Manhattan,” as well as The Many Moods of Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

The song of the day for Friday, April 17, 2026, is “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About Today

Seventy-six years ago today on April 17, 1950, Tony Bennett recorded 3 songs at his first recording session at Columbia Records. Those songs were “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “I Wanna Be Loved,” and today’s song “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About This Song

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the Blackbirds of 1928, produced by Lew Leslie. The song was the first big hit for this songwriting pair. It has been a widely recorded jazz and popular standard, with recordings by Ukulele Ike, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Anita O’Day, and many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” on April 17, 1950, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was soon released as a 78 RPM single.

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” as well as The Columbia Singles Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.