The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 3, 2026, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in William Benton Overstreet and Billy Higgins in 1921. Ethel Waters was the first to record the song. Other recordings include those Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1974 for his album Life Is Beautiful. Tori Zito wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as Life Is Beautiful, is available on Apple Music.

Ethel Waters recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in August 1921 for Black Swan Records, featuring Fletcher Henderson on piano. The recording is significant as everyone who made the record: singers, musicians, composers was African-American and the record label was owned and operated by African-Americans, a first in America’s recording history.

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow for the 1934 film Belle of the Nineties, starring Mae West, who introduced the song in the film. At her insistence, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra was hired to accompany Mae West for all of her songs from the film. After the film wrapped, Ellington recorded “My Old Flame” with Ivie Anderson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorde “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his tribute to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

I tried to find a video clip of Mae West singing “My Old Flame,” but had no luck. I did find her performance of the song from the soundtrack, which is almost as good.

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Monday, November 2, 2026, is “Exactly Like You.”

About Today

We want to wish our fellow Portlander k.d. lang a very happy birthday. She was born on November 2, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

k.d. lang and Tony Bennett’s album A Wonderful World was released in early November 2002.

I think I’m legally required to play a song from that album today, as if I need an excuse. I love how they sound together.

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1930. The song was introduced by Harry Richman and Gertrude Lawrence for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, where “On the Sunny Side of the Street” was first played.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement; Peter Matz conducted.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

I found this terrific 1936 recording of “Exactly Like You” with the Benny Goodman Trio (Goodman on clarinet, Teddy Wilson on piano, and Gene Krupa on drums) and Lionel Hampton on vibraphone and vocals.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Sunday, November 1, 2026, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Just About Everything” was written by Bob Dorough in 1964. The song is a joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennet says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” on March 27, 1964, for the album When Lights Are Low. In addition to leading The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums), Sharon wrote the excellent arrangement and his piano playing is just great.

I"ve Got Just About Everything

Listen to I"ve Got Just About Everything on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve Bob Dorough’s recording of “I’ve Got Just About Everything” from his album I’ve Got Just About Everything.

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Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Saturday, October 31, 2026, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin for the 1941 Broadway musical Lady in the Dark, starring Gertrude Lawrence. The song has had many fine recordings including those by Sarah Vaughan, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, and Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Ship” on April 9, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“My Ship,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

I found this lovely recording of “My Ship” by Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass, from their 1986 album Easy Living.