The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Monday, October 6, 2025, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in American Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” on August 6, 1954, for Cloud 7, his first LP album, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne, who played guitar on the album, wrote the arrangement.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me

The song of the day for Wednesday. August 20, 2025, is “I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me.”

About This Song

“I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me” was written in 1928 by Jimmy McHugh and Clarence Gaskill. It’s been recorded by many artists, including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Dean Martin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me” on December 22, 1954, for his first long-playing album, Cloud 7. Charles Panely, who played trumpet on the album, wrote the arrangement.

“I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: While the Music Plays On

The song of the day for Monday, August 11, 2025, is “While the Music Plays On.”

About This Song

“While the Music Plays On” was written in 1939 by Emery “Eddie” Heim (1919-1946) and Lupin Fein. Heim was born in Budapest, Hungary, and attended the Academy of Music there. In 1939, he moved to the United States and served in the Army Special Services during World War II. His papers are archived at the UCLA Library Special Collections, Performing Arts. Fein was a lyricist whose songs include Lupin Fein and “Don’t Know If I’m Comin’ or Goin'” and “Slow Freight.” Other recordings of “While the Music Plays On” include those by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly, and Les Brown and His Orchestra with Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “While the Music Plays On” 71 years ago on August 11, 1954, for his first LP album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne, who played guitar on the album, wrote the arrangement.

Cloud 7 was one of the earliest 12″ LP albums made at Columbia Records, with the official number CL-621.

“While the Music Plays On,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Heart Tells Me

The song of the day for Friday, July 18, 2025, is “My Heart Tells Me.”

About This Song

“My Heart Tells Me” was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon for the 1943 movie Sweet Rosie O’Grady, which starred Betty Grable. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Harry James, Glenn Miller, Dorothy Collins, and Charlie Parker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Heart Tells Me” on on December 22, 1954, for his first LP album, Cloud 7. Charles Panely, who played trumpet on the album, wrote the arrangement.

“My Heart Tells Me,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.

I found the clip in Sweet Rosie O’Grady where Betty Grable and Phil Regan sings “My Heart Tells Me.” Click “Watch on YouTube” to view the clip.

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Song of the Day: My Baby Just Cares For Me

The song of the day for Thursday, June 26, 2025, is “My Baby Just Cares For Me.”

About This Song

“My Baby Just Cares For Me” was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn for the 1930 film version of Whoopee! with Eddie Cantor. Though recorded by many artists, the song is widely associated with Nina Simone, who recorded it for her 1958 debt album Little Girl Blue.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Baby Just Cares For Me” on December 22, 1954, for his first LP studio album, Cloud 7. Charles Panely, who played trumpet for the album, wrote the arrangement.

“My Baby Just Cares For Me,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.