The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Saturday, February 21, 2026, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written in 1944 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 film Out of This World. The film starred Eddie Bracken, however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” on January 18, 1967, for his album For Once In My Life. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Out Of This World,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble)

The song of the day for Thursday, October 30, 2025, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble).”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble)” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. It was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble)” on April 20, 1967, for his album For Once In My Life. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble),” as well as For Once. In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Saturday, September 13, 2025, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George Gershwin 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.” Astaire and Rodgers finally danced to “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” in their final film, The Barkleys of Broadway, released in 1949. It is one of the Gershwin brother’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” on October 16, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

This video contains today’s song as performed in both Shall We Dance and The Barkleys of Broadway.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Thursday, July 31, 2025, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 film Out Of This World. The film starred Eddie Bracken, though Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” on January 18, 1967, for his album For Once In My Life. Marion Evans wrote the very fine arrangement.

“Out Of This World,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

We’re happy to present Bing Crosby’s 1945 recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 15, 2025, is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for the Motown Records’ Jobete publishing company. This song not only found success as a Motown song, with recordings by Stevie Wonder and Jean duShon, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “For Once In My Life” on July 18, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“For Once In My Life,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.