The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The song of the day for Saturday, July 11, 2026, is “I Concentrate On You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” for the film Broadway Melody of 1940. It’s one of Porter’s best songs, with recordings by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Judy Garland among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Concentrate On You” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which contained songs associated with Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I Concentrate On You,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Although Fred Astaire didn’t sing “I Concentrate On You” in Broadway Melody of 1940, he recorded a very fine version on his album Steppin’ Out: Astaire Sings.

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Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Sunday, May 24, 2026, is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

“Just One Of Those Things” was written by Cole Porter for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder in “American Popular Song” spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfied, in Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” on October 14, 1957, for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited guest drummers and percussionists to play on the album. Art Blakey was the drummer for “Just One Of Those Things.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye

The song of the day for Sunday, March 8, 2026 is “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.”

About This Song

“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” was written by Cole Porter for the 1944 Billy Rose musical revue Seven Lively Arts. The song is well known for the phrase “change from major to minor” as the song itself changed from A-flat major to A-flat minor, matching the lyric perfectly. It has always been a strong jazz standard. Significant recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Mabel Mercer, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” on April 8, 1958, for his album Long Ago and Far Away. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Friday, January, 16, 2026, is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

“Anything Goes” was written by Cole Porter in 1934. In Anything Goes, Cole Porter and book writers Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse created one of the great musical comedy characters of all time: Reno Sweeney, played by Ethel Merman in the original 1934 production. The score contains many of Porter’s most popular songs, including “I Get a Kick Out You,” “You’re The Top,” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Anything Goes” in 2014 for their first album: Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“Anything Goes,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

We have a video Ethel Merman singing “Anything Goes” from the 1936 movie Anything Goes.

Miss Merman was born Queens 118 years ago on January 16, 1908.

We also have a live video of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga singing “Anything Goes.”

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got You Under My Skin

The song of the day for Saturday, December 27, 2025, is “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” was written by Cole Porter is 1936 for the musical film Born to Dance. Significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra (with the Nelson Riddle arrangement), Diana Krall, Peggy Lee, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” for their 2021 album Love For Sale. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Love For Sale won the 64th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” as well as Love For Sale, is available on Apple Music.