The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Saturday, April 11, 2026, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon for the Sonja Henie film Iceland, starring Miss 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 28, 1958, for his second album with Basie, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

We have Bennett’s live improv with The Dave Brubeck Trio (Brubeck on piano, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums) of “There Will Never Be Another You” from Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013.

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Thursday, March 12, 2026, is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. It was written as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy (which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Firefly,” with Count Basie and His Orchestra, on December 23, 1978, for their second album, In Person! released in 1959.  Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement; I especially  liked the flute.

Originally, It was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the original planned title, In Person!.

“Firefly,” as well as In Person, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

Tony Bennett recorded “Firefly” six times in his career. Four were singles; the other two were duets: one with Kermit the Frog (The Playground, 1998) and Lady Gaga (Cheek To Cheek, 2014).

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “Firefly” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

The John Pizzarelli Trio made a video for “Firefly.”

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun

The song of the day for Monday, January 5, 2026, 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” 67 years ago on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie/Bennett, which was released on the Roulette label, where Basie was contracted.

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

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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: Life Is a Song

The song of the day for Saturday, October 18, 2025, is “Life Is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life Is a Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. The first recording was made by Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees. Other recordings include those by Ruth Etting, Bob Crosby, and Joe Haymes and His Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Life Is a Song” on January 6, 1959 for the 1959 album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

Here’s the original recording by Rudy Vallee: