The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Alright, Okay, You Win

The song of the day for Monday, October 19, 2026, is “Alright, Okay, You Win.”

About This Song

“Alright, Okay, You Win” was written in 1955 by Sid Wyche and Mayme Watts. It was recorded in 1955 by Count Basie and several other artists, but none of them charted. Peggy Lee’s 1958 recording was more popular.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Alright, Okay, You Win” on May 14, 2001, for Playing’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues. The Ralph Sharon Quartet (Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on bass) accompanies them. Featured musicians are Harry Allen on tenor saxophone and Mike Melvoin on organ. Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangements.

“Alright, Okay, You Win,” as well as Playing’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues, is available on Apple Music.

For you Peggy Lee fans, here’s her 1958 recording of “Alright, Okay, You Win.”

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Song of the Day: It’s Like Reaching For the Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, October 18 is “It’s Like Reaching For the Moon.”

About This Song

“It’s Like Reaching For the Moon” was written in 1936 by Al Lewis, Al Sherman, and Gerald Marqusee. Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, with Billie Holiday on vocals, first recorded this song, which was released in July 1936.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s Like Reaching For the Moon” in June 1989, for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“It’s Like Reaching For the Moon,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

And of course, we have that 1936 recording with Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra.

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Song of the Day: Shaking the Blues Away

The song of the day for Saturday, October 17, 2026, is “Shaking the Blues Away.”

About This Song

“Shaking the Blues Away” was written by Irving Berlin for The Ziegfeld Follies of 1927. Ruth Etting introduced the song in the production and recorded the song the same year.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Shaking the Blues Away” on May 29, 1987, for his album Bennett/Berlin.

“Shaking the Blues Away,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

I found Ruth Etting’s 1927 recording of “Shaking the Blues Away.”

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Song of the Day: A Rainy Day

The song of the day for Friday, October 16, 2026, is “A Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“A Rainy Day” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 revue Flying Colors. Howard Dietz directed the production. The cast included Clifton Webb, Patsy Kelly, Imogene Coca, and Buddy and Vilma Ebsen.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Rainy Day” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“A Rainy Day,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Thursday, October 15, 2026, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Bill Charlap a very happy birthday. He was born in New York on October 15, 1966. His father, Moose Charlap, was a noted Broadway composer; his mother, Sandy Stewart, a singer. You can learn more about Mr. Charlap at his website Bill Charlap.

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 Fred Astaire film Swing Time. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for 1936. Dorothy Fields said this about “The Way You Look Tonight.”

The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version “The Way You Look Tonight” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. For this song, Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charlap on piano, with no other instruments. Charlap produced the album and wrote the arrangements.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Grammy Award at the 58th annual Grammy Awards.

“The You Look Tonight,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.