The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Thursday, October 29, 2026, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, starring Harry Richman and Gertrude Lawrence. Notable recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Cyndi Lauper, and Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” in 2011 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement; Jorge Calandrelli conducted the orchestra. Willie Nelson plays some great guitar on this recording.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got the official video of Willie Nelson and Tony Bennett recording the song.

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Song of the Day: Growing Pains

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, is “Growing Pains.”

About This Song

“Growing Pains” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields for the 1951 musical A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, based on the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, written in 1943 by Betty Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Growing Pains” on January 5, 1959 for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Growing Pains,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got “Growing Pains” from the 1951 original cast album for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, sung by the father and his daughter.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Thursday, October 15, 2026, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Bill Charlap a very happy birthday. He was born in New York on October 15, 1966. His father, Moose Charlap, was a noted Broadway composer; his mother, Sandy Stewart, a singer. You can learn more about Mr. Charlap at his website Bill Charlap.

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 Fred Astaire film Swing Time. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for 1936. Dorothy Fields said this about “The Way You Look Tonight.”

The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version “The Way You Look Tonight” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. For this song, Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charlap on piano, with no other instruments. Charlap produced the album and wrote the arrangements.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Grammy Award at the 58th annual Grammy Awards.

“The You Look Tonight,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Saturday, October 3, 2026, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields in 1936 for the Fred Astaire movie Swing Time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” for his 1915 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Accompanying Bennett is The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. Bill Charlap also produced the album and wrote the arrangements.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

We’re pleased to include this clip from Swing Time of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to “Pick Yourself Up.”

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Friday, August 7, 2026, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also include the songwriter’s “On The Sunny Side of the Street.” Notable recordings of “Exactly Like You” include those by Louis Armstrong in 1930, Count Basie, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in 2002 for A Wonderful World, a tribute to Louis Armstrong.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

We have Louis Armstrong‘s 1930 recording of”Exactly Like You.”