The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Saturday, May 10, 2025, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About Today

We are celebrating Fred Astaire, who was born on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska.

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Damsels in Distress. Fred Astaire introduced the song in the film, in a dance with a drum kit. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in May 1993 for his 1993 album Steppin’ Out, a tribute album to Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire, performing “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from Damsels in Distress, released in 1937.

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Thursday, August 29, 2024, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Damsel In Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in July 1993 for his album of Fred Astaire songs, Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire’s performance of “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from Damsel In Distress, where he partners with a drum kit:

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Song of the Day: A Foggy Day

The song of the day for Saturday, September 17, 2016 is “A Foggy Day.”

About This Song

“A Foggy Day” was written in 1937 by George and Ira Gershwin. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 movie A Damsel in Distress. “A Foggy Day” has been quite popular with many great recordings, including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “A Foggy Day” in 1962 for his unreleased album On the Glory Road. He didn’t record it again until 1992, this time for Perfectly Frank.

A Foggy Day

Listen to A Foggy Day on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“A Foggy Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Is is Saturday already? Well, it seems so and that means a video. Here’s Tony singing today’s song from his live MTV Unplugged concert in 1994.

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 6, 2016 is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “Nice Work If You Can Get It” (and eight others) for the 1937 film Damsel In Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. This album is one of my favorites for many reasons, including the fact that the album consists of songs introduced by Fred Astaire.

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Listen to Nice Work If You Can Get It on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 19, 2015 is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote this song (and eight others) for the 1937 film Damsel In Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Once again, Tony Bennett totally wins my heart by singing the verse! It’s a sweet arrangement with lovely piano from Ralph Sharon.

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Listen to Nice Work If You Can Get It on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

And here is the Fred Astaire in an amazing dance to today’s song from Damsel in Distress: