The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Monday, November 2, 2026, is “Exactly Like You.”

About Today

We want to wish our fellow Portlander k.d. lang a very happy birthday. She was born on November 2, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

k.d. lang and Tony Bennett’s album A Wonderful World was released in early November 2002.

I think I’m legally required to play a song from that album today, as if I need an excuse. I love how they sound together.

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1930. The song was introduced by Harry Richman and Gertrude Lawrence for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, where “On the Sunny Side of the Street” was first played.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement; Peter Matz conducted.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

I found this terrific 1936 recording of “Exactly Like You” with the Benny Goodman Trio (Goodman on clarinet, Teddy Wilson on piano, and Gene Krupa on drums) and Lionel Hampton on vibraphone and vocals.

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Song of the Day: The Glory Of Love

The song of the day for Thursday, September 3, 2026, is “The Glory Of Love.”

About This Song

Although written in 1938 by Billy Hill, “The Glory of Love” served as the theme song for the 1967 film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, which starred Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy; it was Tracy’s last film–he died in October 1967. The song was first recorded in 1936 by Benny Goodman and that recording reached #1 on the charts. Count Basie, Jimmy Durante, and Peggy Lee have also recorded the song. Paul McCartney recorded it for his 2012 album of standards, Kisses On The Bottom.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with his friend Dominic Germano, recorded “The Glory Of Love” on January 15, 1968, featuring an arrangement by Torrie Zito. It was released in 1968 as a single.

“The Glory Of Love,” as well as The Columbia Singles Vol 6, is available on Apple Music.

We have the Benny Goodman 1936 recording of “The Glory of Love,” featuring vocalist Helen Ward. It’s a terrific listen and swings nicely.

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Song of the Day: What A Little Moonlight Can Do

The song of the day for Saturday, January 14, 2023, is “What A Little Moonlight Can Do.”

About This Song

“What A Little Moonlight Can Do” was written in 1934 by Harry Woods while was living and working temporarily in London for a British film studio as a composer. One of the songs he wrote was “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” for a movie called Road House. Billie Holiday, with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, recorded the song in 1935.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” in June 1996 and released it in 1997 on the album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

“What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1935 recording by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra. And yes, that’s Benny Goodman on clarinet.