The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Monday, April 13, 2026, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Composer Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

If you love this song as much as I do, these are some of my favorite versions:

Nancy Lamott. Her recording of “Where Do Start” was the first time I heard the song. From her 1993 album My Foolish Heart.

Shirley Horn, from her breathtaking 1992 album Here’s To Life.

Barbra Streisand, from her wonderful album 2009 Love Is The Answer.

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Song of the Day: Have I Told You Lately?

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 24, 2025, is “Have I Told You Lately?.”

About This Song

“Have I Told You Lately?” was written by Harold Rome for the 1962 Broadway musical I Can Get It For You Wholesale.

I Can Get It For You Wholesale marked the Broadway debut of the then 19 year old Barbra Streisand in a supporting role of Miss Marmelstein, a secretary. Her audition for the role was so good, that the writers enlarged her role to take better advantage of her prodigious talents. The cast album was recorded by Columbia Records, and Goddard Lieberson had the good sense to sign the young Streisand to a contract and thus Columbia produced her first album, The Barbra Streisand Album, released in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have I Told You Lately?” on January 23, 1962, for his album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Have I Told You Lately?” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: People

The song of the day for Monday, November 20, 2023, is “People.”

About This Song

“People” was written by Julie Styne and Bob Merrill the 1964 Broadway production of Funny Girl and introduced by Barbra Streisand. It has been popular since it was written. Streisand’s recording was the number-one song in the country for four weeks in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “People” in July 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies, in which Tony Bennett honors the great women singers of the 20th century. The song is in tribute to Barbra Streisand. It was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman.

“People,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 15, 2023, is “Smile.”

About This Song

“Smile” was written in 1938 by Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, and Geoffrey Parsons. Chaplin wrote “Smile” for his last silent film, Modern Times, which shows Chaplin and his costar Paulette Goddard, walking hand-in-hand up the road as the sun rises and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand recorded “Smile” on February 3, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Duets: An American Classic won the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Tony Bennett won the 2007 Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Tony Bennett: An American Classic.

“Smile,” as well as Duets: An American Classic is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that scene from Modern Times with Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard:

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Song of the Day: People

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 20, 2019, is “People.”

About This Song

“People” was written by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill in 1964. The song was introduced by Barbra Streisand in the 1964 Broadway production of Funny Girl. This song has been popular since it was written. Streisand’s recording was the number one song in the country for four weeks in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “People” in 1968 for his album I’ve Gotta Be Me. Today, however, we’re featuring his 1995 recording for the album Here’s To The Ladies, where he sings songs associated with many of the great 20th century female vocalists. “People” is, of course, for Barbra Streisand.

People

Tony Bennett · Here"s To The Ladies · Song · 1995

“People,” as well as Here’s to the Ladies, is available from iTunes.