The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Thursday, March 25, 2021, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924 by Lewis Gensler, with lyrics from Buddy DeSylva and Al Jolson. The song was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett performed “Keep Smiling at Trouble” live at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas on April 8, 1964. The show was recorded, but the album Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On was released until 2011 as part of the Complete Collection box set.

Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble"s a Bubble) - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964

Listen to Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble"s a Bubble) - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Saturday, March 28, 2020, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924 by Lewis Gensler, with lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. It was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded his show at The Sahara in Las Vegas in April 1964, including “Keep Smiling at Trouble.” The show was released in 2011 as Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964.

“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Monday, October 14, 2019, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. It was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

Fun Fact: the blender was invented in 1932 by Stephen Poplawski. Bandleader Fred Waring was a financial supporter for the first blender. In the next few years he made his own improvements to the blade and named his product the Waring Blender. The Waring Blender is still manufactured today.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble” in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as For Once in My Life, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 12, 2018 is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. The song was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings include those by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble” in 1963 for his album This Is All I Ask.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Monday, June 26, 2017 is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble),” was written in 1924. Lewis Gensler wrote the music and Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva wrote the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble” in 1963 for the album This Is All I Ask. Ralph Burns, our musical collaborator of the month, wrote the arrangement.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.