The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought of You

The song of the day for Wenesday, October 8, 2025, is “The Very Thought of You.”

About This Song

“The Very Thought of You” was written by Ray Noble in 1934. This ballad has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Very Thought of You” in 1965 for his album With Love, released in 1966. Johnny Keating wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. Bobby Hackett played cornet on this recording.

“The Very Thought of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sweet Lorraine

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, is “Sweet Lorraine.”

About This Song

“Sweet Lorraine” was written by Cliff Burwell and Mitchell Parish in 1928. It was originally a vaudeville song; the Rudy Vallee recording made the song quite popular and a nice, up-tempo jazz number. Nat “King” Cole had a major hit with this song in 1940.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sweet Lorraine” on March 11, 1965, for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Trumpet player Bobby Hackett played ukulele and Joe Marsala played clarinet.

Bennett told this story in his autobiography, The Good Life:

That album [If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set] also included a song that’s always been very special to me: “Sweet Lorraine.” I dedicated it to Nat Cole, who had died a month earlier in April 1965. I was heartbroken when I heard that Nat had passed away. Bobby Hackett and I were working at the Palmer House in Chicago, and it seemed appropriate to pay tribute by recording Nat’s signature tune while we were in his hometown. Bobby, whose instrument was normally cornet, surprised us all by playing ukulele on this record; his buddy Joe Marsala played clarinet.

“Sweet Lorraine,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

Here is Nat Cole’s 1940 recording of “Sweet Lorraine.”

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought Of You

The song of the day for Thursday, November 14, 2024, is “The Very Thought Of You.”

About This Song

“The Very Thought Of You” was written in 1934 by British composer and band leader Ray Noble. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Very Thought Of You” in 1965 for his album A Time For Love, released in 1966. It was arranged by John Keating and featured Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Very Thought Of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sleepy Time Gal

The song of the day for Sunday, September 8, 2024, is “Sleepy Time Gal.”

About This Song

“Sleepy Time Gal” was written in 1925 by Richard Whiting and Ange Lorenzo, with lyrics by Joseph R. Alden and Raymond Egan. The song is a husband singing to his wife, who likes to stay up all night and dance, therefore “turning night into day,” to please come home and go to bed. The original treatment was an up-tempo comic song, but is sometimes treated more as a lament, at a slower tempo. It was widely recorded in the late 1920s. Harry James recorded it in 1944 and revived interest in the song. Other good recordings include those by The Mills Brothers and Josephine Baker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sleepy Time Gal” in Fall 1965 for his album A Time For Love, released in 1966. The song was arranged by Johnny Keating and features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“Sleepy Time Gal,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sweet Lorraine

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 17, 2024, is “Sweet Lorraine.”

About This Song

“Sweet Lorraine” was written in 1928 by Cliff Burwell and Mitchell Parish and was originally a vaudeville song. The initial Rudy Valle recording made the song popular as a nice, up-tempo jazz number. Nat King Cole had a major hit with this song in 1940.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sweet Lorraine” on March 11, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. In his autobiography The Good Life, Bennett tells the story behind this recording.

If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set also included a song that’s always been very special to me: “Sweet Lorraine. I dedicated it to Nat Cole, who had died a month earlier in February 1965. I was heartbroken when I heard that Nat had passed away. Bobby Hackett and I were working at the Palmer House in Chicago, and it seemed appropriate to pay tribute by recording Nat’s signature tune while we were in his hometown. Bobby, whose instrument was normally cornet, surprised us all by playing ukulele on this record; his buddy Joe Marsala played clarinet.

“Sweet Lorraine,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

I found this video of Nat King Cole singing today’s song. I hope you enjoy it.