The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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:

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Song of the Day: Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me

The song of the day for Saturday, October 11, 2025, is “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me.”

About This Song

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” was written in 1938 by Rube Bloom and Ted Koehler for the World’s Fair edition of the Cotton Club show in 1939. Significant recordings include those by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, and Count Basie with Joe Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” on April 4, 1961, for My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted.

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

I found a couple of different versions of “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” you might enjoy.

Count Basie and Joe Williams from Basie’s 1957 album One O’Clock Jump:

Joni Mitchell from her 2000 album Both Sides Now:

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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.