The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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.

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Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Sunday, September 14, 2025, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett honors the late Amy Winehouse, who was born on September 14, 1983.

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green, with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that “Body and Soul” “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.”

Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body Soul” at Abbey Road Studios (London) in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

This was Amy’s last recording. She died on July 23, 2011.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.
“Body and Soul” won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Duo Performance.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video of Tony and Amy recording “Body and Soul.”

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Song of the Day: Blue Velvet

The song of the day for Friday, April 11, 2025, is “Blue Velvet.”

About This Song

“Blue Velvet” was written in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Blue Velvet” was the first recording of the song and was one of his early hits for Columbia.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Blue Velvet” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Blue Velvet,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, who was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, TN. She won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Rolling Stone magazine named her the greatest singer of all time twice.

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 Lancaster and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, 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 arranged and conducted the recording.

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

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

We have two videos today.

First is the official video with Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin for today’s song. Keep an eye on Tony Bennett at 4:19–a single tear as they are finishing the song. I had the privilege of seeing him live many times and seeing how tuned in he was to his emotions when he sang. There will never be anyone as great as Tony Bennett.

Second is her appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors to honor Carol King by singing “Natural Woman.” This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. Keep an eye out 2:56 into the video and watch the entire audience go crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t think I ever will.