The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for September 26, 2024, is “Do It Again.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birth of the great George Gershwin, born on September 26, 1989, in Brooklyn, NY. He See Gershwin.com to learn more about his work.

About This Song

“Do It Again” was written in 1922 by George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Gershwin was in a meeting with his publisher, Max Dreyfus, when DeSylva walked in and said “Let’s write a hit!” Gershwin started composing on the spot. DeSylva listened for a few minutes and then sang “Oh, do it again.” Gershwin played the song at parties when it was heard by Irene Bordoni, who wanted to perform it in her show The French Doll. It’s been widely recorded, including a wonderful Judy Garland recording from her 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall, released on Judy at Carnegie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The Bill Charlap Trio backed the singers on this album and Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling At Trouble

The song of the day for Monday, May 7. 2024, 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 this version of “Keep Smiling At Trouble” on April 20, 1967, for his album For Once In My Life. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.

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

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Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Saturday, July 8, 2023, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since it was first published, with recordings from 1924 until the present. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album of George Gershwin music: Love Is Here To Stay. The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums) accompanied the entire album. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement for this song.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Look For The Silver Lining

The song of the day for Monday, June 5, 2023, is “Look For The Silver Lining.”

About This Song

“Look For The Silver Lining” was written in 1919 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva, for the unsuccessful musical Zip, Goes a Million. It was published and reused in the musical Sally, where it was sung by Marilyn Miller. It’s had several notable recordings, including those by Chet Baker, Margaret Whiting, Bing Crosby, and several recordings by Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Look For The Silver Lining: for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Accompanying Bennett on this recording are Bill Charlap, who wrote the arrangement, and Renee Rosnes.w

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

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Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since its first publication, with recordings from 1924. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Krall and Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 61st Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.