The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lucky To Be Me

The song of the day for Friday, September 27, 2024, is “Lucky To Be Me.”

About September 27-30, 2024

For the next four days, we are focusing on the album Together Again, released in 1977. In those four days, Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded the songs for their second album and we’ll be featuring songs from that album.

About This Song

“Lucky To Be Me” was written by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town. The song (as were most of the songs from the original score) was cut from the 1949 film.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Lucky To Be Me” in September 1976 for their album Together Again. The album was released on Bennett’s Improv label.

“Lucky To Be Me,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for September 26, 2024, is “Do It Again.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birth of the great George Gershwin, born on September 26, 1989, in Brooklyn, NY. He See Gershwin.com to learn more about his work.

About This Song

“Do It Again” was written in 1922 by George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Gershwin was in a meeting with his publisher, Max Dreyfus, when DeSylva walked in and said “Let’s write a hit!” Gershwin started composing on the spot. DeSylva listened for a few minutes and then sang “Oh, do it again.” Gershwin played the song at parties when it was heard by Irene Bordoni, who wanted to perform it in her show The French Doll. It’s been widely recorded, including a wonderful Judy Garland recording from her 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall, released on Judy at Carnegie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The Bill Charlap Trio backed the singers on this album and Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 25, 2024, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1937 for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” in 2011 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video of the recording session:

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Song of the Day: She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, is “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good).”

About This Song

“She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” (originally titled ‘I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)’)was written by Duke Ellington and Paul Francis Webster in 1941. It was written for Ivie Anderson to sing in a revue called Jump For Joy. Anderson also recorded the song in 1941 with Johnny Hodges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement, which features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone.

“She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Ivie Anderson 1941 recording with Johnny Hodges:

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Song of the Day: Autumn in New York

The song of the day for Monday, September 23, 2024, is “Autumn in New York.”

About This Song

“Autumn in New York” was written in 1934 by Vernon Duke as a stand-alone song, but was used 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 more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Autumn in New York” on June 24, 1992. It was an unreleased outtake from Perfectly Frank, but was released on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“Autumn in New York,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

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