The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Just in Time

The song of the day for Sunday, May 3. 2026, is “Just in Time.”

About Today

We are remembering Betty Comden, who was born on, May 3, 1917, in Brooklyn, NY. In 1938, she met Adolph Green in 1938 and they worked together for many years. Though mainly known as lyricists, Comden and Green were equally known as writers for the stage (On the Twentieth Century) and screen (Singin’ in the Rain).

About This Song

“Just in Time” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green, for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing, where it was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin. Holliday and Dean Martin sang it in the 1960 film version of Bells Are Ringing.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just in Time” on your author’s 6th birthday, September 19, 1956, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith. It was released as a single in 1956; the recording was included on Bennett’s 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Just in Time,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

We have “Just in Time” from the original cast album of Bells are Ringing, sung by Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin:

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Song of theDay: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Friday, April 24, 2026, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was written by Jule Styne, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the 1956 Broadway hit musical Bells Are Ringing, starring Judy Holliday, who won the Tony Award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” on November 4, 1958, for Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Judy Holliday singing “The Party’s Over,” from the original cast recording of Bells Are Ringing.

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Sunday, December 28, 2025, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony Award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” on November 4, 1958, for Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Judy Holliday’s recording of “The Party’s Over” from the original cast album of Bells Are Ringing.

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for is “The Party’s Over.”

About Today

We are remembering Adolph Green on the anniversary of his birth 110 years ago on December 2, 1915. Green and his writing partner, Betty Comden, worked together for 60 years, in one of the longest-lasting partnerships in show business. They wrote lyrics for many Broadway shows and worked frequently with Leonard Bernstein and Jule Styne. They also wrote screenplays for films including Singing in the Rain, Auntie Mame, and My Favorite Year.

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing. he song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” on November 4, 1958, for Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

I found this video of Comden and Green singing snippets from some of their shows. Today’s song is the second tune.

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Song of the Day: Just In Time

The song of the day for Monday, October 20, 2025, is “Just In Time.”

About This Song

“Just In Time” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin in the Broadway production; Holliday and Dean Martin sang it for the 1960 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, Billy Exiner on drums) recorded “Just In Time” live on August 28, 1962, in Washington, DC on the Mall near the mall near The Washington Monument for a concert to honor that year’s group of presidential scholars, along with The Dave Brubeck Quartet, requested by President John F. Kennedy. The concert was originally scheduled for the White House Rose Garden, but there was so much interest in the concert that it had to be moved to a larger venue.

Frank Laico at Columbia Records recorded the concert. Over time, the tapes were determined to be lost somewhere in the vaults. They weren’t discovered until 2012, where they were finally located in the classical music section. In May 2013, Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962 was released.

“Just In Time,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.