• Home
  • About
    • About This Blog
    • About the Authors
  • Song of the Day
  • Album of the Week
  • Music and Art
    • Tony Live!
    • Music
      • Viva Duets
      • Songs
      • Albums
    • Art
  • And More
    • Collaborator of the Month
    • Songwriter of the Month – 2016
    • News
      • Cheek To Cheek
      • Bennett & Brubeck -The White House Sessions Live 1962
      • Life is a Gift
      • Viva Duets
      • Zen of Bennett
      • Other News
    • About His Collaborators
    • Musings
    • Extras
      • Books
      • Interviews
      • Media
  • The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography

The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

December 26, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 27, 2022, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

Fred Astaire introduced “Dancing in the Dark” in the 1931 film The Band Wagon; he sang it again in the 1955 film of the same name.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Here is Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in 1953’s The Band Wagon. I think this may be one of Astaire’s most beautiful and elegant dances.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Arthur Schwartz, Cyd Charisse, Frank Astaire, Howard Dietz, Ralph Sharon, Steppin' Out, The Band Wagon, Tony Bennett

January 11, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dancing In The Dark

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 12, 2022, is “Dancing In The Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing In the Dark” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns, who had arranged and conducted Bennett’s 1959 album Hometown, My Town, did the same for this album.

“Dancing In The Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

In addition to being a fine song, it’s also one Fred Astaire’s best dance numbers, from the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, featuring Cyd Charisse.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Arthur Schwartz, Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, Howard Dietz, Ralph Burns, The Band Wagon, Tony Bennett

November 11, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Friday, November 12, 2021, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in 1993 for his album of songs made famous by Fred Astaire, Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Speaking of Fred Astaire and The Band Wagon, here’s that exquisite dance with Astaire and the beautiful Cyd Charisse from the 1953 movie.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Arthur Schwartz, Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, Howard Dietz, Ralph Sharon, Steppin' Out, The Band Wagon, Tony Bennett

April 14, 2018 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Dark: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Saturday, April 14, 2018 is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. The excellent arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

Dancing in the Dark

Listen to Dancing in the Dark on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.


“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our Saturday video is from the 1953 film Dancing in the Dark and features Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Her skirt is simply amazing.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Arthur Schwartz, Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, Howard Dietz, My Heart Sings, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

October 20, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Saturday, October 21, 2017 is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Dancing in the Dark” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which featured songs introduced by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon created the arrangement.

Dancing In the Dark

Listen to Dancing In the Dark on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1993.


“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video this Saturday, here are Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire dancing to this number from the 1953 film The Band Wagon.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Arthur Schwartz, Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, Howard Dietz, Ralph Sharon, Steppin' Out, The Band Wagon, Tony Bennett

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites

  • Duke Ellington and the Harlem Renaissance
  • Song of the Day: Growing Pains
  • Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up
  • Collaborator of the Month: Marion Evans
  • Song of the Day: The Good Life
  • Review: Viva Duets
  • Home
  • About
  • Song of the Day
  • Album of the Week
  • Music and Art
  • And More
  • The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography

Copyright © 2023 The Year of Tony Bennett · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress