The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush on You

The song of the day for Thursday, November 16, 2023 is “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Diana Krall a very happy birthday today. Miss Krall was born on November 16, 1964, in Nanaimo, Canada. She first sang with Tony Bennett in his MTV Unplugged album in 1994 and has sung duets with Tony on Playin’ With My Friends, Duets: An American Classic, Duets II, and their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. You can learn more about Diana Krall at dianakrall.com.

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush on You” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb and May Hay and was used again in 1930 for Strike Up The Band, where it was sung by Doris Caron and Gordon Smith. It’s been widely sung by jazz vocalists, including Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “I’ve Got a Crush on You” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay, released in 2018. It was arranged by Diana Krall and Bill Charlap.

“I’ve Got a Crush on You,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

Diana Krall also sang this solo on Love Is Here To Stay:

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Song of the Day: My One and Only

The song of the day for Thursday, November 9, 2023, is “My One and Only.”

About This Song

“My One and Only” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1927 musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire, Betty Compton, and Gertrude McDonald. The original title was “(What Am I Gonna Do) If You Turn Me Down.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “My One and Only” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and co-produced the album with Dae Bennett, Tony’s son. The Bill Charlap Trio accompanied the album with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

“My One and Only,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Fascinating Rhythm

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 26, 2023, is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the great George Gershwin, who was born in New York City on September 26, 1898.

About This Song

“Fascinating Rhythm” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good and was introduced by Cliff Edwards, and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was, and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Today I’m featuring two versions of “Fascinating Rhythm.”

1949: Tony Bennett recorded “Fascinating Rhythm” in April 1949 for Leslie Records as a 78, with “Vieni Qui” on the flip side. The record helped make Bennett a success: Mitch Miller, a producer for Columbia Records, heard “Fascinating Rhythm,” along with a recording made later that year “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and decided to sign Bennett to Columbia in 1950.

2018: Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded a duet of Fascinating Rhythm” for his penultimate album, Love Is Here To Stay.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Saturday, July 8, 2023, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since it was first published, with recordings from 1924 until the present. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album of George Gershwin music: Love Is Here To Stay. The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums) accompanied the entire album. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement for this song.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since its first publication, with recordings from 1924. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Krall and Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 61st Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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