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 Sunday, March 3, 2019, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World 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 this version of “Out Of This World” in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life. The great arrangement is by Marion Evans.

Out Of This World – 2011 Remaster

Out Of This World – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Out Of This World,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Baby, Dream Your Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, July 6, 2017 is “Baby, Dream Your Dream.”

About This Song

“Baby, Dream Your Dream” was one of the hit songs from the very successful Cy Coleman – Dorothy Fields 1966 musical Sweet Charity, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon. “Baby, Dream Your Dream” was sung by Helen Gallagher and Thelma Oliver.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby, Dream Your Dream” in late 1965 and released it as a single in 1966. It was later included on the album For Once In My Life.

Baby, Dream Your Dream

Listen to Baby, Dream Your Dream on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.


“Baby, Dream Your Dream,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling At Trouble

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 11, 2017 is “Keep Smiling At Trouble.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Keep Smiling At Trouble,” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. “Keep Smiling at Trouble” 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 this version of “Keep Smiling At Trouble” in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life, with a great arrangement by Ralph Burns.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.


“Keep Smiling At Trouble,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Monday, October 3, 2016 is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer wrote “Out Of This World” in 1944 for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World 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

I always come back to this 1967 version of “Out Of This World” because I love the arrangement by Marion Evans so much and because Tony Bennett sounds so great. It was released on the album For Once In My Life, released in 1967.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1lbNdANp7StpkibXrAMjbi/embed]
“Out Of This World,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling At Trouble

The song of the day for Friday, August 19, 2016 is “Keep Smiling At Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written 1924, with music by Lewis Gentler 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 has recorded this song twice, once live from his recently-released album Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On in 1964, and two studio recordings once in 1963 and another in 1967. It’s the 1967 recording I”m featuring today, released on For Once in My Life with a great arrangement by Ralph Burns, whose work for Tony Bennett I really love. If you have any doubts, listen to Hometown, My Town from 1959.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.


“Keep Smiling At Trouble,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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