The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Friday, September 25, 2020, is “Hi-Ho.”

About Today

In honor of the birth of Jacob Bruskin Gershowitz on September 26, 1898, The Year of Tony Bennett begins a week-long celebration of the music of George Gershwin.

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written in 1936 by George and Ira Gershwin. “Hi-Ho” has been called ‘Gershwin’s least-known great song’ by blogger Walter Rimler. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and was slated for the movie Shall We Dance, featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs for filming the sequence. The song faded from view and was only published in 1967. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” in 1968 for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.


“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Like Goodbyes

The song of the day for Thursday, September 24, 2020, is “Don’t Like Goodbyes.”

About This Song

“Don’t Like Goodbyes” was written by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Arlen and Truman Capote, for the 1954 Broadway musical House of Flowers, based on Capote’s novella of the same name. The song was introduced by Pearl Bailey. While the musical was not well-reviewed, the Arlen-Capote score is quite wonderful, including not only today’s song but the exquisite “A Sleepin’ Bee,” which Tony Bennett has recorded twice (in 1959 for Tony Sings For Two and at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert). “Don’t Like Goodbyes” has been recorded by Pearl Bailey, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Like Goodbyes” for his 2004 album The Art of Romance. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Don’t Like Goodbyes,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Autumn In New York

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 23, 2020, the first full day of the Autumn season is “Autumn In New York.”

About This Song

“Autumn In New York” was written by Vernon Duke for the 1934 Broadway musical Thumbs Up! The song has proved quite popular over the years, with recordings by Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, and many, many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Autumn In New York” in 1992; the recording is an outtake from Perfectly Frank. Thankfully, the recording was released in 2011 with the Complete Collection box set on the Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2 disk.

“Autumn In New York,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2 is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 22, 2020, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

Note About Today’s Song

Every weekend I listen to the radio show Radio Deluxe, hosted by John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey. This weekend, they featured several songs from Tony Bennett, including today’s song. I was reminded why I love this song and especially this recording of it.

Radio Deluxe is a swell show: part jazz, part cabaret, and all of it excellent. John and Jessica always have something unique and wonderful to say about each of the songs they feature. It’s one of the highlights of my weekend. You can find out more about Radio Deluxe on its website radiodeluxe.com.

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was composed by the great Michel Legrand. The original French lyrics were written by Jacques Demy (who also wrote and directed the film); the English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song was written for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album Together Again, released in 1977 on Bennett’s Improv label.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as , is available from Apple Music and Quboz.

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Tony Live! All Of You

The song of the day for Sunday, September 20, 2020, is “All Of You.”

About This Song

“All Of You” was written by Cole Porter for the 1954 Broadway musical Silk Stockings, where it was introduced by Don Ameche. Bill Evans played it at his legendary album Sunday at the Village Vanguard, recorded live.

About This Version

Tony Bennett performed “All Of You” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged.

“All Of You,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

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