The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take Away From Me

The song of the day for Sunday, August 25, 2024, is “They Can’t Take Away From Me.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birthday of Declan Patrick MacManus OBE, better known by his stage name Elvis Costello. He was born on August 25, 1954. Elvis duetted with Tony Bennett on today’s song.

About This Song

“They Can’t Take Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936 for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello recorded “They Can’t Take Away From Me” live on April 12, 1994, for Tony Bennett’s MTV Unplugged television program.

MTV Unplugged won the 1994 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“They Can’t Take Away From Me,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Elvis and Tony singing today’s song:

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Thursday, August 24, 2023, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Elvis Costello a very happy birthday! Costello was born in London, England on August 25, 1954.

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire–Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” on April 12, 1994, for Bennett’s legendary MTV Unplugged appearance. The MTV Unplugged album was released in June of that year. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

MTV Unplugged won two 1994 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video of “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” from MTV Unplugged:

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Tony Live! They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Sunday, September 13, 2020, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and guest Elvis Costello sang “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” on Bennett’s live performance on MTV Unplugged.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves to Sing with Elvis and Diana

The playlist for the week of October 13 is Tony Loves to Sing with Elvis and Diana.

This week’s playlist consists of duets featuring Tony and one of that marvelous couple: Elvis Costello and Diana Krall. This week’s songs are presented in chronological order.

1994 MTV Unplugged
They Can’t Take That Away From Me by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Elvis Costello.

2001 Playin’ With My Friends
Alright, Okay, You Win by Mamie Watts and Sid Wyche. Diana Krall.

2006 Duets: An American Classic
The Best is Yet to Come by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Diana Krall.
Are You Havin’ Any Fun? by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain. Elvis Costello.

2018 Love is Here to Stay
‘S Wonderful by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.
Love Is Here to Stay George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.
Somebody Loves Me George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.
Do It Again George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Diana Krall.
They Can’t Take That Away From Me George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Saturday, July 7, 2018 is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written in 1936 by George and Ira Gershwin. The song was written for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life. Our selection for today is, however, from his 1993 album Steppin’ Out, a collection of songs introduced by Fred Astaire.

They Can"t Take That Away from Me

Listen to They Can"t Take That Away from Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video for today is the duet of today’s song with Elvis Costello and Tony Bennett at the 1994 MTV Unplugged concert.

I read today that Elvis Costello has had to cancel the remainder of his European tour this summer to recover from cancer surgery. Apparently the surgery was successful and I was so happy to read that. My very best wishes go out to Mr. Costello and his family as we hope for his complete recovery.

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