The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Thursday, December 22, 2022, the ninth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” was written in 1940 by Irving Berlin. It’s one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that

The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24th …

And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100 million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “White Christmas” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that Bing Crosby recording from 1942:

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Song of the Day: When I Lost You

The song of the day for Monday, November 28, 2022, is “When I Lost You.”

About This Song

“When I Lost You” was written by Irving Berlin in 1912. This is a lovely and sad ballad that was autobiographical for Berlin. He had married the singer Dorothy Goetz, who contracted typhoid fever on their honeymoon and died from it five months after their wedding. Filled with grief, he wrote this song to her. It did become his first hit ballad. This song has been recorded by Tony Bennett, Dinah Washington, Lena Horne, Chet Baker, and Miles Davis, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When I Lost You” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett with Ralph Sharon.

“When I Lost You,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Shakin’ The Blues Away

The song of the day for Friday, November 25, 2022, is “Shakin’ The Blues Away.”

About This Song

“Shakin’ The Blues Away” was originally written by Irving Berlin for The Zeigfeld Follies of 1927. It was introduced by Ruth Etting, who was making her first appearance in the Follies. Berlin pulled it out of the trunk for 1948 film Easter Parade, where it was a dance number for Ann Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Shakin’ The Blues Away” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett.

“Shakin’ The Blues Away,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This A Lovely Day

The song of the day for Thursday, November 24, 2022, is “Isn’t This A Lovely Day”

About This Song

“Isn’t This A Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin for the Fred Astaire/Ginger Roger movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This A Lovely Day” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett.

“Isn’t This A Lovely Day,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

As a special treat today, here are Fred and Ginger, from Top Hat:

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 23, 2022, is “The Song Is Ended.”

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)” was written in 1927 by Irving Berlin, with lyrics by Fritz Lohner-Beda. In his book The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia, Thomas Hischak calls this song “… an Irving Berlin standard whose title has been called the theme of all popular music, a chilling number in which both the lover and the ballad that was ‘their song’ is gone; yet neither can be forgotten because they remain in one’s memory.” This song was recorded in 1927 by Ruth Etting and has remained popular over the years with recordings by Dick Haymes, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeri Southern, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)” in May 1987 for the album Bennett/Berlin. The song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet. Bennett’s trio for this album had Ralph Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“The Song Is Ended,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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