The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The Year of Tony Bennett is happy to celebrate the birthday of the great Count Basie, who was born this day in 1904.

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 21, 2013 is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young; the song was written in 1935. Other Ahlert songs include “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.”

About This Version

Today’s song is from the album Basie/Bennett, released in 1959. This album featured Tony Bennett with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, only this song and “Jeepers Creepers” featured Basie himself on piano.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2d0KVeTGh0NtRMJTyMITGY
“Life is a Song,” as well as the Basie/Bennett album, is available on iTunes.

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Song of the Day: With Plenty of Money and You

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 26, 2013 is “With Plenty of Money and You.”

About This Song

“With Plenty of Money and You” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the movie Gold Diggers of 1937. Originally, Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg were slated to write all the songs for the movie, but Busby Berkeley wasn’t happy with the songs for the productions numbers and so he added Warren and Dubin. The final score for the movie includes songs by both songwriting teams.

About This Version

This swinging song is from Bennett’s widely-hailed 1959 album with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie/Bennett, originally released on the Roulette label, which handled Basie’s albums. They got together again in 1959 for In Person!, this time from Columbia. Both albums are terrific.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7G5L3XC5LMcReydpXlxHov
“With Plenty of Money and You,” as well as the entire remastered Strike Up The Band album, is available from iTunes.

And, if you’re interested, here’s Dick Powell singing this song from the film:

With Plenty Of Money And You - Gold Diggers Of 1937

Listen to With Plenty Of Money And You - Gold Diggers Of 1937 on Spotify. Dick Powell · Song · 2005.

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Saturday, June 22, 2013 is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?”

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 revue George White’s Scandals. Please visit our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennet Discography, for more information about Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1959 with Count Basie on their terrific swinging album Basie/Bennett. Please visit our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, for more information about Basie/Bennett, including session information.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2QMkgDxADnazpGUDkipfaK
“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?,” as well as the entire Basie/Bennett album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The song of the day for Sunday, June 2, 2013 is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. Ahlert wrote other popular songs from the period, including “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Life is a Song” with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1958 for his first album with Basie called Basie/Bennett; the same album has also been released from Strike Up Band.

Life Is A Song (Let"s Sing It Together)

Listen to Life Is A Song (Let"s Sing It Together) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Life is a Song,” as well as the remastered Strike Up The Band album, is available from iTunes.

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