The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Growing Pains

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, is “Growing Pains.”

About This Song

“Growing Pains” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields for the 1951 musical A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, based on the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, written in 1943 by Betty Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Growing Pains” on January 5, 1959 for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Growing Pains,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got “Growing Pains” from the 1951 original cast album for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, sung by the father and his daughter.

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Song of the Day: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Monday, September 21, 2026, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show and was introduced by Clifton Webb. It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” on January 3, 1959 for their first album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

I found one of the very first recordings of today’s song: Rudy Vallée and His Connecticut Yankees, recorded in 1932. It even has the verse, which I had not heard before:

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Song of the Day: Life Is a Song

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, is “Life Is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life Is a Song” was written by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young in 1935. Early recordings include those by Rudy Vallee, Ruth Ettings, and Bob Crosby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Life Is a Song” on January 5, 1959, for Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Count Basie played piano for this recording.

“Life Is a Song,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Pennies From Heaven

The song of the day for Friday, May 15, 2026, is “Pennies From Heaven.”

About This Song

“Pennies From Heaven” was written by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke in 1936 for the film Pennies From Heaven, where it was introduced by Bing Crosby. It’s one of the classic songs from the Great Depression.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, sings “Pennies From Heaven” from his 1959 album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Pennies From Heaven” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

We’re pleased to include Bing Crosby’s original version of “Pennies From Heaven.”

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Song of the Day: Taking A Chance On Love

The song of the day for Monday, March 23, 2026, is “Taking A Chance On Love.”

About This Song

“Taking A Chance On Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Benny Goodman, Dave Brubeck, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Taking A Chance On Love” on December 30, 1958, for his 1959 album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Taking A Chance On Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

We have a nice video of “Taking A Chance On Love” from the 1943 film of Cabin In The Sky, with Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson: