The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I See Your Face Before Me

The song of the day for Sunday, May 27, 2018 is “I See Your Face Before Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I See Your Face Before Me,” was written in 1937 by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. It was written for the 1937 Broadway musical Between The Devil, where it was introduced by Adele Dixon. Both Guy Lombardo and Glen Gray recorded the song in that time period. Later recordings include those by Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman. The Johnny Hardman version, recorded in 1955, was used in the soundtrack for the 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I See Your Face Before Me” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

I See Your Face Before Me

Listen to I See Your Face Before Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“I See Your Face Before Me,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Dark: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Saturday, April 14, 2018 is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard 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 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. The excellent arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

Dancing in the Dark

Listen to Dancing in the Dark on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our Saturday video is from the 1953 film Dancing in the Dark and features Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Her skirt is simply amazing.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 5, 2017 is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine on Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Sine on Your Shoes” in 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out, which featured songs sung by Bennett’s good friend Fred Astaire.

Shine On Your Shoes

Listen to Shine On Your Shoes on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

As a special treat, here’s Fred Astaire singing and dancing to today’s song.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Saturday, October 21, 2017 is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard 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 this version of “Dancing in the Dark” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which featured songs introduced by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon created the arrangement.

Dancing In the Dark

Listen to Dancing In the Dark on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video this Saturday, here are Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire dancing to this number from the 1953 film The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Saturday, August 19, 2017 is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written for the 1937 musical Between the Devil by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz, 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 has recorded “By Myself” twice. His first recording was made in 1958 for his album Hometown, My Town. The second recording, which I’ve chosen for the song of the day, was made in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, consisting of songs Fred Astaire introduced.

By Myself

Listen to By Myself on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“By Myself,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our Saturday video is Fred Astaire’s performance of “By Myself” from The Band Wagon.

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