The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, May 10, 2026, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to to remember the great Fred Astaire, who was born on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska. His 76-year career was remarkable; Astaire was a dancer, singer, actor, singer, musician, and choreographer. His awards include three Emmy Awards, two Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, a BAFTA award, and an honorary Academy Award.

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder 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 Steppin’ Out, Bennett’s tribute to Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

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

We have the video of Fred Astaire‘s and Cyd Charisse‘s performance of “Dancing in the Dark “from the 1953 film The Band Wagon. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of most beautiful dances ever filmed.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 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 Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

Here’s “By Myself,” slung by Fred Astaire from the 1953 film The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Saturday, January 3. 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 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.” The song was also used in the 1953 film The Band Wagon, starring Fred Astaire.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” on April 6, 1961, for My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the band, which contained several noted musicians, including Milt Hinton, Chuck Wayne, and Eddie Costa.

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

Here are Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse performing “Dancing in the Dark” from the 1953 film The Band Wagon. I think it’s one of Astaire’s finest dance numbers.

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

The song of the day for Sunday, October 5, 2025, 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 and 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. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it is often sung with Plans. The song was also used in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in July 1993 for the album Stepping’ Out, which was released 32 years ago on October 5, 1993.

Steppin’ Out won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

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

We have Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan performing “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” from The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: A Rainy Day

The song of the day for Saturday, July 5, 2025, is “A Rainy Day.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Rainy Day” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, his first album after his return to Columbia Records. Jorge Calandrelli orchestrated and conducted the album. Annie Leibovitz took the iconic photograph on the cover of the album.

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