The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Sunday, January 8, 2023, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929 by Thomas “Fats” Waller and Andy Razaf. This song one of Waller’s better-known tunes and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Razaf’s lyric is delightful. Waller recorded the song in 1934 and that recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been recorded steadily throughout the years, including the one by Lena Horne in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Lena Horne. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Lena Horne singing “Honeysuckle Rose” live at The Waldorf Astoria.

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Song of the Day: Ain’t Misbehavin’

The song of the day for Sunday, September 218, 2022, is “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

About This Song

“Ain’t Misbehavin'” was written in 1929 by Fats Waller and Harry Brooks, with lyrics by Andy Razaf. Waller introduced “Ain’t Misbehaving” in the 1929 musical revue Hot Chocolates, staged at Connie’s Inn in Harlem. Andy Razaf, the lyricist, says that Waller wrote the entire song in just 45 minutes. It has become one of Waller’s most well-known songs, perhaps due to the wildly successful Broadway musical revue Ain’t Misbehaving, which opened in 1978.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ain’t Misbehavin'” on March 26, 1964, with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was released that year on the album When Lights Are Low.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Ain’t Misbehaving

The song of the day for Saturday, April 16, 2022, is “Ain’t Misbehaving.”

About This Song

“Ain’t Misbehaving” was written in 1929 by Fats Waller, with lyrics by Andy Razaf. Waller introduced “Ain’t Misbehaving” in the 1929 musical revue Hot Chocolates, staged at Connie’s Inn in Harlem. Andy Razaf, the lyricist, says that Waller wrote the entire song in just 45 minutes. It has become one of Waller’s most well-known songs, perhaps due to the wildly successful Broadway musical revue Ain’t Misbehaving, which opened in 1978.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ain’t Misbehaving” in 1964 for his album with The Ralph Sharon Trio, When Lights Are Low. Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Ain’t Misbehaving,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Friday, May 28, 2021, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929 by Thomas “Fats” Waller and Andy Razaf. It’s one of Waller’s better known tunes and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Razaf’s lyric is delightful. Waller recorded the song in 1934 and that recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been recorded steadily throughout the years, including the one from Lena Horne in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. On this album, Bennett sings songs associated with the great 20th century female singers. He chose this song in honor of Lena Horne. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Honeysuckle Rose

Listen to Honeysuckle Rose on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1995.

“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! Ain’t Misbehaving

The song of the day for Sunday, March 22, 2020, is “Ain’t Misbehaving.”

About This Song

Fats Waller introduced “Ain’t Misbehaving” in the 1929 musical revue Hot Chocolates, staged at Connie’s Inn in Harlem. Andy Razaf, the lyricist, says that Waller wrote the entire song in just 45 minutes. It has become one of Waller’s most well-known songs, perhaps due to the wildly successful Broadway musical revue Ain’t Misbehaving, which opened in 1978.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ain’t Misbehaving” live in Las Vegas on April 8, 1964. The album Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964 was finally released in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“Ain’t Misbehaving,” as well as Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas 1964, is available from iTunes.

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