The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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. Tony Bennett · Song · 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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Song of the Day: Are You Having Any Fun?

The song of the day for Saturday, June 30, 2018 is “Are You Having Any Fun?”.

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. George White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Are You Having Any Fun?” with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the 1959 album Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.


“Are You Having Any Fun?” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Tony Bennett’s second recording of today’s song was made in 2006. It was a duet with Elvis Costello for Duets: An American Classic. We’re happy to present a nice video of the recording session. The band for this recording consists of Lee Musiker (piano), Gray Sargent (guitar), Paul Langosch (bass) and Harold Jones (drums).

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 6, 201 is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

This song 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 has recorded this lovely song several times, first in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life, with an arrangement by Torrie Zito. He also sang the song on MTV Unplugged concert in 1994 and as a duet with Brad Paisley for the Target version of Duets II. Today’s beautiful recording is, of course, from Steppin’ Out and was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

They Can"t Take That Away from Me

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


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

I have two videos for you today. First is Tony Bennett singing today’s song with Elvis Costello from the MTV Unplugged concert:

And here is the inimitable Fred Astaire singing this song to Ginger Rogers, from Shall We Dance:

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