The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Thursday, March 19, 2015 is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was written in 1934 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach, for a short-lived London musical called Three Sisters. The following year, Kern revived the tune for the film Roberta and new lyrics were written by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh. Today, most singers work with the 1935 Fields and McHugh lyrics, though the earlier version is still performed.

About This Version

Today’s exuberant version is from the recent album Cheek To Cheek with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. The terrific arrangement is from Marion Evans. I dare you to not, at the very least, think about dancing.

I Won"t Dance

Listen to I Won"t Dance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“I Won’t Dance,” as well as 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, February 9, 2015 is “It Don’t Mean A Thing.”

About This Song

it-dont-mean-a-thing-32-sheet-3

“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. This song 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 the Grammy Award-winning album Cheek To Cheek, released in 2014 by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. The arrangement is by Marion Evans.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett congratulates Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on winning the Grammy for Cheek To Cheek. We couldn’t be happier for you! Have a wonderful tour!

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,” as well as the Grammy Award-winning album Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Tony and Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards

Tony with Susan and Happy before the red carpet

Almost there

Good Morning American gives them a big thumbs up on the runway

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sing “Cheek To Cheek” at the Awards Ceremony

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga win the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album!

And now, off to the Wiltern Theater for the Premiere Performance of their World-wide Tour

I have to say … Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga have set the bar really high today. Not only did they win the Grammy Award for their album and perform at the awards ceremony but they doing a major concert tonight — the premiere performance in their world-wide tour! We love you both madly.

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Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Sunday, February 8, 2015 is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

“They All Laughed” was written in 1937 by George and Ira Gershwin for the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie Shall We Dance. It’s a delightful comic song, with some fun cultural references.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Cheek To Cheek, released last year by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. The terrific arrangement is the great Marion Evans. I am so glad they included this song on their album. I’ve heard Bennett sing it several times in concert and it’s a favorite of mine.

About Today

It’s Grammy Day and I am so looking forward to seeing Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform on the show tomorrow night. And pick up their award. They are going to be very busy — they also have a concert at the Wiltern tomorrow evening at 9:30, after the awards ceremony.

They All Laughed

Listen to They All Laughed on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“They All Laughed,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, January 31, 2015 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “But Beautiful,” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. 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 recorded “But Beautiful” in 1975 with Bill Evans for their groundbreaking The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album. Widely admired by critics and fans of both musicians, it is an extraordinary jazz outing. Every song on the album is wonderful; “But Beautiful” is one of the best.

But Beautiful

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Once again, it’s Saturday. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “But Beautiful” for their new album, Cheek To Cheek and that is today’s video.