The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Russian Lullaby

The song of the day for Thursday, May 11, 2023, is “Russian Lullaby.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating one of America’s greatest songwriters, Irving Berlin, born in Russia on May 11, 1888. Berlin arrived in the United States at the age of 5. He wrote his first song, “Marie from Sunny Italy” in 1907, receiving 33 cents for the publishing rights; by 1911 he cemented his stature with “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” Berlin could barely read music and could only play piano in the key of F-sharp; his custom piano had a transposing lever for when he needed to play in other keys.

Berlin’s accomplishments are astounding: he wrote the scores for 20 Broadway shows and 15 movies. Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam, and As Thousands Cheer are just a few of his Broadway scores. His films include Top Hat, Easter Parade, White Christmas, and Follow The Fleet.

Berlin died on September 22, 1989. He was 101 years old.

About This Song

“Russian Lullaby” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927. Irving Berlin (born Isador Beilin) explores his childhood roots as an Eastern European/Belarusian Jewish immigrant with this song. The song is like a folk melody and the lyrics are lovely. “Russian Lullaby” was first used in vaudeville and gained recognition with the recording by Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra. It has also been recorded by Bunny Berigan, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, and Dinah Shore, among others.

About This Version

“Russian Lullaby” was recorded in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet.

“Russian Lullaby,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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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: