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 Friday, September 18, 2015 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” on April 6, 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns and produced by Ernie Altschuler. The Burns arrangement is quite nice–I especially liked the instrumental introduction and how Bennett’s voice soars over the band. It kind of makes me want to dance. By the way, that’s Eddie Costa on the vibes.

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.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Sunday, May 31, 2015 is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written in 1937 by Arthur Schwartz (music) and Howard Diets (lyrics) for the musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. It was used again in 1957 for The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Jack Buchanan co-starred in The Band Wagon, but this time it was Fred Astaire’s song.

About This Version

I love that Bennett ends the album with this song. It’s practically sung a cappella, with the drums tapping out the dance rhythm. After a long of run of energetic dance numbers, the entertainer is along … as the song fades out. It’s lovely and very touching. I think it’s interesting that out of all the songs on this album, this is the one number that Fred Astaire did not dance to, but sang only.

About Today

Today marks the end of our tribute to Tony Bennett’s 1993 album Steppin’ Out, featuring songs associated with Fred Astaire. It’s been a treat for me; the singing, the dancing, the brilliance of both Tony Bennett and Fred Astaire. I’ll be announcing a new album of the month tomorrow, but for now I’ll listen to Tony Bennett wistfully singing By Myself.

By Myself

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


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

And here’s Mr. Astaire singing today’s song …

By Myself

Listen to By Myself on Spotify. Song · Fred Astaire · 2007

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Song of the Day: That’s Entertainment

The song of the day for Friday, May 29, 2015 is “That’s Entertainment.”

About This Song

“That’s Entertainment” was written in 1952 by Arthur Schwartz (music) and Howard Dietz (lyrics) for the film The Band Wagon, released in 1953. It also served as the theme song for the very popular That’s Entertainment movie, released in 1974, featuring the greatest MGM musical songs and dances.

About This Version

Tony Bennett seems to be having a great time with “That’s Entertainment.” He not only sings the verse (!) but gives out shout to ‘Show Biz’ with a funny growl at the end. That’s entertainment!

That"s Enterainment

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“That’s Entertainment,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

Today’s video features the song as sung in The Band Wagon, featuring Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant! It’s a funny number, with a lot of hoofing and silliness.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 27, 2015 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. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it more often sung with Plans.

About This Version

This is a nice, slow version of this song … a lovely sense of regret in the singing. I’m used to hearing this song done faster, but I really like this tempo.

I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plan

Listen to I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plan on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

In our video clip from The Band Wagon, we have a lovely duet with Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan — two of the classiest guys ever.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Saturday, May 9, 2015 is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was composed by Arthur Schwartz with lyrics by 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

Today is the second day in a row for a song by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz and the second day in a row for a song from The Band Wagon. No wonder — the songs are great and so was this movie.

I love this great, upbeat number as Bennett sings it. Every time I hear it, I think of that funny scene in The Zen of Bennett where he discovers that shoe shine person at the hotel put brown polish on his black shoes and then he breaks out into the Irving Berlin song “I Used To Be Color Blind.”

Mr. Bennett has a great time with this song. The opening with just the bass and drum played with brushes is really excellent. I dare anyone to be in a bad mood after listening to this song. If you do listen and are still in bad mood, then proceed directly to the video.

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.

Today’s video features our song of the day as sung and danced by Fred Astaire. Astaire wanted to perform this number with a bootblack. Director Vincent Minnelli found Leroy Daniels, an actor dancer who was supporting himself as a bootblack. Their number is magic.

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