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 Monday, August 31, 2026, is “Just In Time.”

About This Song

“Just In Time” was written by Jule Styne, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. The show starred Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin, who introduced the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Just In Time” live on August 28, 1962, on The Mall in Washington, D.C. At the invitation of President John F. Kennedy, Dave Bruck and his quartet and Tony Bennett with his trio were invited to perform at a special event to honor the participants of the White House Seminar for journalism students.

Bennett performed his with The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. The entire concert was recorded and released in 2013 on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. The original tapes had been misplaced in the Columbia Vaults and only located in 2012.

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

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Song of the Day: Lucky to be Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, is “Lucky to be Me.”

About Today

We remember Leonard Bernstein today. He was born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Mass. In his lifetime, he was known as a composer, conductor, pianist, author, and educator. He wrote three Broadway musicals, composed numerous concert pieces, led the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and much more. He was one of first American-born conductors of a major American orchestra.

About This Song

“Lucky to be Me” was written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, for the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Lucky to be Me” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again.

“Lucky to be Me,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

In 1960, Bernstein assembled many of the principle actors from original 1944 production of On The Town to record the score. John Reardon, playing Gabey, sings “Lucky To Be Me.”

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day on Tony Bennett’s birthday, August 3, 2026, is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town, the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. If any recording can be called perfect, it’s this one.

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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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.