The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: A Rainy Day

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, is “A Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“A Rainy Day” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 Broadway musical revue Flying Colors, which starred Clifton Webb, Patsy Kelly, Imogene Coca, and Buddy and Vilma Ebsen.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Rainy Day” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, the first album Bennett made with Columbia after he returned to the label. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“A Rainy Day,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Thursday, July 4, 2024, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” This song was also used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” in July 1993 for his tribute album to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Tony Bennet and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Clayton Cameron was the very fine drummer for this recording.

“By Myself,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

My favorite version of this song was a live recording of Judy Garland singing it on The Judy Garland Show in 1964. Her exit at the end of the song is not to be missed!

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Song of the Day: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb. It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Sunday, March 3, 2024, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” This song was used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” on November 3, 1958, for his album Hometown, My Town, which was released in 1959. Ralph Burns arranged the song and conducted the orchestra.

“By Myself,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

I came across a video of Judy Garland singing “By Myself” in 1964 for her television show. She brings down the house with this performance.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 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 and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 for his album dedicated to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Of course, we have the video of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse from The Band Wagon (1953) dancing to this song. I mean, I’m not some kind of monster.

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