The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 27, 2022, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924 by Lewis Gensler, with lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. The song was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling At Trouble” in 1967 for his album For Once In My Life. The very fine arrangement was written by Ralph Burns.

“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as For Once In My Life is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Look For The Silver Lining

The song of the day for Sunday, December 26. 2021, is “Look For The Silver Lining.”

About This Song

“Look For The Silver Lining” was written in 1919 by Jerome Kern and B.G. (Buddy) DeSylva for a failed musical called Zip, Goes a Million. It was later used in the musical Sally, where it was sung by Marilyn Miller and became more popular.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Look For The Silver Lining” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement; Charlap and Renee Rosnes accompanied Bennett for this recording.

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Keep Smiling At Trouble

The song of the day for Thursday, May 27, 2021, is “Keep Smiling At Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling At Trouble” was written in 1924 by Lewis Gensler, with lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. It was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Keep Smiling At Trouble” in 1967 for his album For Once In My Life. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.

“Keep Smiling At Trouble,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Thursday, March 25, 2021, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924 by Lewis Gensler, with lyrics from Buddy DeSylva and Al Jolson. The song was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett performed “Keep Smiling at Trouble” live at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas on April 8, 1964. The show was recorded, but the album Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On was released until 2011 as part of the Complete Collection box set.

Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble"s a Bubble) - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964

Listen to Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble"s a Bubble) - Live at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV - April 1964 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Saturday, March 28, 2020, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924 by Lewis Gensler, with lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. It was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded his show at The Sahara in Las Vegas in April 1964, including “Keep Smiling at Trouble.” The show was released in 2011 as Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964.

“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, is available from iTunes.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites