The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing

The song of the day for Saturday, January 10, 2015 is “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.”

About This Song

This song, written by Duke Ellington (with lyrics by Irving Mills) in 1931, was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony’s latest album: Cheek to Cheek, with Lady Gaga. And yes, it really does swing. The arrangement is by the great Marion Evans.

It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing)

Listen to It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Yes, it’s Saturday and that means a video. Here’s Tony singing today’s song with some really exceptional drumming from Clayton Cameron.

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Ani Loves Cheek To Cheek

Who is Ani? Well, Ani is my new cat that we found under a bush up the block. It was love at first sight. Ani had her spay surgery on Thursday and I’m nursing her and keeping her isolated in my room until she is recovered.

Well, she’s feeling pretty frisky and since yesterday has spent a lot of time walking around on my desk looking for things to play with.

Three times since last night, she has been walking on the keyboard and, somehow, walks on a key that starts Spotify playing Cheek To Cheek.

That cat has great taste! No wonder it was love at first sight.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Face The Music and Dance

The song of the day for Sunday, October 26, 2014 is “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.”

About This Song

“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” was written by Irving Berlin in 1936 for the film Follow the Fleet, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Astaire – Rogers dance to this song is considered one of their best. It has also been recorded by singers including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” is Bennett’s newest: his duet with Lady Gaga from their new album Cheek To Cheek. The great arrangement is by the very great Marion Evans.

Let"s Face The Music And Dance

Listen to Let"s Face The Music And Dance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014

“Let’s Face The Music And Dance,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

The song of the day for Saturday, October 11, 2014 is “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About This Song

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” was composed by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields for the 1928 revue Blackbirds of 1928, produced by Lew Leslie. The song was the first big hit for this songwriting pair. It has been a widely recorded jazz and popular standard, with recordings by Ukelele Ike, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Anita O’Day and many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” in 1950, which was released as single, and again in 1956 for his second full-length album, Tony. Our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, has Spotify links to both of those recordings (as well as a really cool picture of the cover from the original sheet music). Today’s version is from his newest album with Lady Gaga: Cheek To Cheek. Once again, we congratulate both of these artists on the success of their new album!

About Today

It’s Saturday once again, which means that we hope you have a little extra time in your day to watch a video. Today’s video is Tony and Lady Gaga singing today’s song.

I Can"t Give You Anything But Love

Listen to I Can"t Give You Anything But Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean A Thing

The song of the day for Monday, October 6, 2014 is “It Don’t Mean A Thing.”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. It was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Today’s version is the 2014 version with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett from their album Cheek To Cheek. The great big band arrangement is by Marion Evans. It’s a lot of fun!

It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing)

Listen to It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014

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