The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’m Old Fashioned

The song of the day for Monday, March 18, 2024, is “I’m Old Fashioned.”

About This Song

“I’m Old Fashioned” was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Astaire recorded the song first, in 1942 with John Scott Trotter and his orchestra. Other significant recordings include those by Blossom Dearie, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, John Coltrane, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Old Fashioned” in 2015 for his album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap did the arrangement and led his trio (Charlap on piano; Peter Washington on bass; Kenny Washington on drums) for this recording.

“I’m Old Fashioned,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Song Is You

The song of the day for Saturday, January 27, 2024, is “The Song Is You.”

About Today

Today we are honoring Jerome Kern, who was born 139 years ago today on January 27, 1885.

About This Song

“The Song Is You” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1932 musical Music In The Air. It’s been widely recorded and is associated with Frank Sinatra, who recorded it with Tommy Dorsey.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is You” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement; Charlap and Renee Rosnes accompanied Bennett for the recording.

“The Song Is You,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album award at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 2, 2024, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it one of Kern’s finest songs, and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All The Things You Are” in 2015 for his album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap arranged the song and played solo piano for this recording.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

I found this tape of Stephen Sondheim discussing “All The Things You Are” with Marian McPartland on Sondheim’s appearance on Piano Jazz, which I found fascinating. I hope you enjoy it.

You can read more about Sondheim’s appearance on Piano Jazz in the NPR article.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Thursday, December 28, 2023, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields in 1936 for the movie Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting. It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” in 2015 with Bill Charlap for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush on You

The song of the day for Thursday, November 16, 2023 is “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Diana Krall a very happy birthday today. Miss Krall was born on November 16, 1964, in Nanaimo, Canada. She first sang with Tony Bennett in his MTV Unplugged album in 1994 and has sung duets with Tony on Playin’ With My Friends, Duets: An American Classic, Duets II, and their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. You can learn more about Diana Krall at dianakrall.com.

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush on You” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb and May Hay and was used again in 1930 for Strike Up The Band, where it was sung by Doris Caron and Gordon Smith. It’s been widely sung by jazz vocalists, including Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “I’ve Got a Crush on You” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay, released in 2018. It was arranged by Diana Krall and Bill Charlap.

“I’ve Got a Crush on You,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

Diana Krall also sang this solo on Love Is Here To Stay: