The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stormy Weather

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 14, 2026, is “Stormy Weather.”

About This Song

“Stormy Weather” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1933. Ethel Waters introduced at the Cotton Club that year and also recorded it with The Dorsey Brothers. Her 1993 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame; the Library of Congress added to the National Recording Registry in 2004.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole recorded “Stormy Weather” on June 25, 2001, for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The Ralph Sharon Quartet accompanied them on this recording (Sharon: piano, Gray Sargent: guitar, Paul Langosch: bass, and Clayton Cameron: drums). Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangement.

“Stormy Weather,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ethel Waters’ 1933 recording of “Stormy Weather.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love,” originally named “Reflections,” was written in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin and was recorded as an instrumental with Stan Getz for his album Reflections. Gene Lees wrote the lyrics, at the suggestion of Tony Bennett, who made it an anthem for marginalized love; originally associated with interracial relationships and now embraced by LGBTQ+ community.

“The Right to Love,” consistently year to year, ranks in top five songs searched for on this site. The vast majority of those searches come from public school URLs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Right To Love” on February 18, 1965, for If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

We have Peggy Lee‘s recording of today’s song from her 1964 album In The Name of Love.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Monday, October 12, 2026, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film A Damsel in Distress, starring Fred Astaire. Significant recordings include those by Tommy Dorsey, Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson, and Fred Astaire with The Ray Noble Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in July 1993 for Steppin’ Out, accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon: piano, Doug Richeson: bass, and clayton Cameron: drums). Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, we have Fred Astaire’s performance of “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from the 1937 A Damsel in Distress. It starts with a party scene where “Nice Work If You Can Get It” is sung:

Followed by Fred Astaire and the drum set.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, October 11, 2026, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon, which starred Fred and Adele Astaire; the song was introduced by John Barker and Tilly Losch. It was used in 1953 MGM musical The Band Wagon, where it was danced by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” on April 6, 1961, for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

Here is the exquisite dance by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse for “Dancing in the Dark.” It doesn’t get much better than this.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: This Is All I Ask

The song of the day for Saturday, October 10, 2026, is “This Is All I Ask.”

About This Song

“This Is All I Ask” was written in 1958 by Gordon Jenkins; Jenkins considers this song his best compositions. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Harry Nillson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “This Is All I Ask” on March 1, 1960, for Alone Together. Frank Devol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“This Is All I Ask,” as well as Alone Together, is available on Apple Music.

Bill Evans and Toots Thielemans made this beautiful recording of “This Is All I Ask” for their 1979 album Affinty.