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: Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, is “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)”

About This Song

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1964 West End musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Producer David Merrick saw the production in London and decided to bring it to America, starting first with a nationwide tour. Tony Bennett first recorded the song in 1964 and it was a hit for him; this helped bring attention to the musical and helped ensure its success in the US.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah recorded “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

We have the official Vevo video from their recording session.

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Song of the Day: How Do You Keep the Music Playing

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, on the anniversary of her birth on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennesee.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the movie Best Friends, starring Burt Reynolds.

It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

We have the official video of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” with Tony Bennett and The Queen of Soul:

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 10, 2025, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Norah Jones recorded “Speak Low” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Speak Low,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

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Son of the Day: Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

The song of the day for Saturday, September 20, 2025, is “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me).”

About This Song

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1964 British musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Producer David Merrick saw the production in London and decided to bring it to America, starting first with a nationwide tour. Around that time, Tony Bennett made a recording, which was a hit for him; this helped bring attention to the musical and helped ensure its success in the US.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah recorded “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” in 2011 for Duets II, which was released 14 years ago today on September 20, 2011. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me),” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.