The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Friday, June 12, 2026, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe in Spring” was written by Michel Legrand, with English lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe in Spring” in September 1976, for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

We also have Bill Evans’s 1977 recording of “You Must Believe In Spring” from his album You Must Believe in Spring,” released posthumously in 1981.

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Song of the Day: You Don’t Know What Love Is

The song of the day for Friday, May 22, 2026, is “You Don’t Know What Love Is.”

About This Song

“You Don’t Know What Love Is” was written by Gene de Paul and Don Raye for a 1941 Abbott and Costello film called Keep ‘Em Flying, but was cut from the film before it opened. The song was finally used in a B picture named Behind the Eight Ball. “You Don’t Know What Love Is” gradually became a jazz standard, as evidenced by the Miles Davis recording from 1954. Other significant jazz recordings included those by Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Anita O’Day, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone and Cassandra Wilson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Don’t Know What Love Is” in September 1976 for Together Again, released in 1977.

“You Don’t Know What Love Is,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was composed by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1960 musical Do Re Mi. The show ocncerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the juke box business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Make Someone Happy” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Young and Foolish

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, is “Young and Foolish.”

About This Song

“Young and Foolish” was written in 1954 by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt for the Broadway musical Plain and Fancy. The show is about a New York couple who travel to Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to sell a piece of property and become involved with and learn from the community.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Young and Foolish” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“Young and Foolish,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “Young and Foolish” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026. It’s a terrific recording. I especially enjoyed the extended instrumental chorus.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

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Song of the Day: Waltz For Debby

The song of the day for Monday, March 16, 2026, is “Waltz For Debby.”

About This Song

“Waltz For Debby” was written by Bill Evans in 1956, soon after leaving the Army. He wrote it for his young niece, Debby, the daughter of his brother Harold. With the lyrics by Gene Lees, “Waltz For Debby” became a standard for jazz and popular singers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Waltz For Debby” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album.

“Waltz For Debby,” as well as The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “Waltz For Debby” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.