The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Thursday, July 31, 2025, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 film Out Of This World. The film starred Eddie Bracken, though Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” on January 18, 1967, for his album For Once In My Life. Marion Evans wrote the very fine arrangement.

“Out Of This World,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

We’re happy to present Bing Crosby’s 1945 recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 7, 2025, is “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams.”

About This Song

“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” was written in 1931 by Harry Barris, with lyrics by Ted Koehler and Billy Moll. The song is one of the classic Depression-era songs that hoped to help people forget their troubles and dream of better days. Bing Crosby made the first recording in 1931 with the Gus Arnheim Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” on September 29, 1964, for his album Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music. George Siravo wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here is Bing Crosby‘s 1931 recording of “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,” with the Gus Arnheim Orchestra.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Friday, June 6, 2025, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the the 1947 movie The Road to Rio, where it was introduced by Bing Crosby. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

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

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1947 Bing Crosby version, which is quite lovely.

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Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Friday, March 14, 2025, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others. The song was a favorite of your author when she was a small child. I actually remember singing it loudly at the breakfast table one morning.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his children’s album, The Playground. Bennett was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Quartet, featuring Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosh on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for December 16, 2023, the third day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas,” written by Irving Berlin in 1940, is 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 24 …” 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 it completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s “White Christmas” single 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 for his album Bennett/Berlin, consisting completely of songs written by Irving Berlin. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

We also have Bing Crosby’s recording of today’s song: