The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Thursday, January 16, 2025, is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

“Anything Goes” was written in 1934 by Cole Porter. In Anything Goes, Cole Porter and book writers Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse created one of the great musical comedy characters of all time: Reno Sweeney, played by Ethel Merman in the original 1934 production. The score contains many of Porter’s most popular songs, including “I Get a Kick Out You,” “You’re The Top,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” and today’s song “Anything Goes.”

Ethel Merman was born on January 16, 1908, in New York City. We’re featuring “Anything Goes” in memory of Ethel Merman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Anything Goes” on January 5, 1959, for their first album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Anything Goes,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ethel Merman singing “Anything Goes,” from 1954.

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then and Now Is Now

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee in 1964. Lee made the first recording of the song in 1964, which appeared on her album Then Was Then and Now Is Now, released in January 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now Is Now” on February 18, 1965, for his album 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.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 14, 2025, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Just About Everything” was written by Bob Dorough. We don’t know when it was written, but it was first recorded by Tony Bennett in 1964. Dorough is known for his work with Dave Frishberg (Dorough wrote the tune for “I’m Hip”) and for writing and singing for Schoolhouse Rock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” on March 17, 1964, for When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement; he also led the Ralph Sharon Trio.

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

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Monday, January 13, 2024, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg or the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises the song:

Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” live on April 12, 1994, for his appearance on MTV Unplugged. The resulting album MTV Unplugged won two 1994 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the MTV Unplugged telecast:

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Song of the Day: Penthouse Serenade

The song of the day for Sunday, January 12, 2025, is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

“Penthouse Serenade” was written in 1933 by Will Jason and Val Burton for the 1933 animated short Betty Boop’s Penthouse, where it was sung by Mae Questel. It’s a classic Depression-era song with a young romantic couple yearning for a glamorous apartment. Notable recordings of this song include those by Nat “King” Cole, Errol Garner, Stan Getz, Tony Bennett, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Penthouse Serenade” on November 6, 1958, for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“Penthouse Serenade,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

Thanks to YouTube, we have a video from Betty Boop’s Penthouse with Mae Questal singing today’s song!

Click here to view the full six minute short.