The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Young and Foolish

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, is “Young and Foolish.”

About This Song

“Young and Foolish” was written by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt for the 1954 Broadway musical Plain and Fancy, which concerned a New York couple who travel to Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to sell a piece of property and become involved with and learn values from the community. The musical was one of the first depictions of an Amish community in American Pop culture.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Young and Foolish” with Bill Evans in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“Young and Foolish,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, 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 Monday, May 26, 2025, is “Then Was Then and Now is Now.”

About Today

We are remembering Peggy Lee, born on May 26, 1920, as Norma Deloris Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota. She was a singer as well as songwriter, co-writing over 270 songs.

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now is Now” was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Peggy Lee. She released it on her 1965 album Then Was Then — Now Is Now!

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.

We’ve got Miss Peggy Lee’s recording of “Then Was Then and Now is Now” from 1965:

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Song of the Day: New York State of Mind

The song of the day for Sunday, May 25, 2025, is “New York State of Mind.”

About This Song

“New York State of Mind” was written in 1976 by Billy Joel and has been a mainstay of his concerts since then. It’s been recorded by many great artists, including Carmen McRae, Barbra Streisand. and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Billy Joel recorded “New York State of Mind” in June 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends. Rob Mathes did the vocal arrangements.

“New York State of Mind,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a fantastic video of Billy Joel and Tony Bennett performing “New York State of Mind” in a 2008 concert at Shea Stadium:

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought of You

The song of the day for Saturday, may 24, 2025, is “The Very Thought of You.”

About This Song

“The Very Thought of You” was written in 1942 by the British composer and band leader Ray Noble. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney recorded “The Very Thought of You” in March 2006 for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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.

“The Very Thought of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

We’re happy to include the VEVO video of Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney recording “The Very Thought of You” at the Abbey Road Studios in London.

Here’s the 1942 Ray Noble recording of “The Very Thought of You,” with vocals by Al Bowlly.

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Song of the Day: Tangerine

The song of the day for Friday, May 23, 2025, is “Tangerine.”

About Today

We are remembering Helen O’Connell today. She was born on Lima, Ohio on May 23, 1920. She sang on the first recording “Tangerine” with Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra in 1942 and is the singer that Bennett paid tribute to his recording of “Tangerine” on Here’s To The Ladies.

About This Song

“Tangerine” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer for the movie The Fleet’s In, which starred Dorothy Lamour, William Holden, Eddie Bracken and introduced Betty Hutton. The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, with vocalists Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly, made a very successful recording in 1942.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tangerine” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. For this album, Bennett included songs associated with the best female singers of the 20th century. Helen O’Connell was the vocalist associated with “Tangerine.” Bill Holman wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 39th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Tangerine,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1942 recording of “Tangerine” by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with vocalists Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell.

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