The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Trapped in the Web of Love

The song of the day for Monday, February 2, 2026, is “Trapped in the Web of Love.”

About This Song

“Trapped in the Web of Love” was written by Jeanne Burns in the 1930s. Burns was born in New York City in 1917. She wrote her first Cotton Club number (“Little Town Gal”) when she was only sixteen years old. She wrote numerous songs during the 1930s and 40s. This song has also been recorded by Peggy Lee in 1965 and The Treniers in 1954. She was also a vocalist with several bands during the 1930s.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trapped in the Web of Love” on January 14, 1960; it was released in 1966 on A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Trapped in the Web of Love,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: In the Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Sunday, November 9, 2025, is “In the Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In the Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. This song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In the Wee Small Hours” on February 26, 1964, for his 1966 album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“In the Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Yesterdays

The song of the day for Sunday, October 26, 2025, is “Yesterdays.”

About This Song

“Yesterdays” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Roberta was made into a film in 1935. The Kern-Harbach score for Roberta also included “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Let’s Begin,” which Tony Bennett recorded in 1957 for his third album, The Beat of My Heart.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterdays” on February 26, 1964; it was released in 1966 on A Time For Love. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Yesterdays,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Monday, July 14, 2025, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end. Peggy Lee recorded the song for her 1967 album Extra Special!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement. The recording features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

I’m pleased to include Miss Peggy Lee’s recording of her song, arranged by Johnny Mandel:

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Song of the Day: Trapped in the Web of Love

The song of the day for is “Trapped in the Web of Love.”

About This Song

“Trapped in the Web of Love” was written by Jeanne Burns sometime in the 1930s. She was born in New York City in 1911 and wrote her first Cotton Club number (“Little Town Gal”) when she was only sixteen years old. She wrote numerous songs during the 1930s and 40s. This song has also been recorded by Peggy Lee in 1965 and The Treniers in 1954. Burns was also a vocalist with several bands during the 1930s. She was married to Jerry Arlen (Harold’s brother) from 1935 to 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trapped in the Web of Love” on January 14, 1960, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was released in 1966 on the album A Time For Love.

“Trapped in the Web of Love,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.