The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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:

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Song of the Day: From This Moment On

The song of the day for Friday, November 28, 2025, is “From This Moment On.”

About This Song

“From This Moment On” was written in 1950 by Cole Porter. Porter wrote this song for his musical Out Of This World, but it was dropped the score. he song was used in the 1999 Broadway stage revival of Kiss Me Kate. Doris Day recorded this song as a single in 1950; the Frank Sinatra 1957 recording for his A Swingin’ Affair! was instrumental in the popularity of this song. It has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne. and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra and Candido on percussion, recorded “From This Moment On” live on November 28, 1958, at the Latin Casino in Philadelphia, PA. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

After Tony Bennett and Count Basie recorded their first album, Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, they decided it to record a live album. Tony Bennett wrote about the experience in hi autobiography The Good Life.

We opened at the Latin Casino in Philadelphia on November 28, 1958, and did tremendous business. There was barely room in that tiny club for Frank Laico to set up his console, and he finally had to rig it up in the basement kitchen. I thought the recording came out wonderfully, but stereo recording had just been discovered and Al Ham, the producer, was unhappy that we had recorded in mono. It was his call, so the following month, we rerecorded the album in the studio in stereo, adding the crowd noise and applause to make it sound “live.” But of all things, Ham put the audience applause in the wrong places. What a mess! We titled the album In Person! and released it in early 1959.

“From This Moment On,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Thursday. September 11, 2025, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?.”

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. George White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and his Orchestra, recorded “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” on January 5, 1959, for Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Sunday, June 22, 2025, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon for the 1942 film Iceland, starring Sonja Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “There Will Never Be Another You” on December 30, 1958, for the 1959 album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The musicians playing with Basie include Eddie Jones, Sonny Payne, Freddie Green, and Thad Jones.

“There Will Never Be Another You” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.