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 Wednesday, December 2, 2020, is “I See Your Face Before Me.”

About This Song

“I See Your Face Before Me” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz 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 the album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote 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 Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Friday, October 23, 2020, 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 Jack Buchanan. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it more often is sung with Plans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which consisted of songs made famous by the great Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

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

And if you have a little extra time today, here’s Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan in a very classy performance from The Band Wagon.

"I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plan" from The Band Wagon 1953

"I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plan" is a popular song performed by Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan with a tap dance in the musical film "The Band Wagon (1953)".

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 15, 2020, 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” in 1958 for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 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 1961 for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns, who arranged and conducted for Bennett’s 1959 album Hometown, My Town, arranged and conducted this album. I adore the work that Burns did for Bennett and love his big band-style arrangements.

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

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Song of the Day: A Rainy Day

The song of the day for Friday, February 21, 2020, is “A Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“A Rainy Day” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz or 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 on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence. The recording was arranged and orchestrated by Jorge Callandrelli and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

The Art of Excellence was Bennett’s first album upon his return to Columbia Records.

“A Rainy Day,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

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