The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: New York, New York

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 24, 2026, “New York, New York.”

About This Song

“New York, New York” was written by in 1977 by John Kander and Fred Ebb for the 1977 film New York, New York, directed by Martin Scorsese. Liza Minelli performed the song in the film. Frank Sinatra recorded it in 1979 for his 1980 album Trilogy: Past Present Future.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra recorded “New York, New York” in 1993 for Frank Sinatra: Duets. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“New York, New York,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights,Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

We are pleased to include Liza Minnelli’s performance of “New York, New York” from the film:

We are also pleased to include Sinatra’s first recording of the song that became so closely identified with him.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Friday, June 19, 2026, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Syne and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Etta James.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 for his album in tribute to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s 1947 version of today’s song.

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Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, is “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

About This Song

“I Fall In Love Too Easily” was written in 1944 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the film Anchors Aweigh, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. Significant recordings include those by Mel Tormé, Chet Baker, Johnny Hartman, Shirley Horn, and Anita O’Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Fall In Love Too Easily” in June 1992 for Perfectly Frank, his tribute to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon, wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award –for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s 1944 recording of “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

The song of the day for is “East of the Sun (West of the Moon).”

About This Song

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” was written by Brooks Bowman (Princeton University Class of 1936) in 1934 for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, he worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry, but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937. The song is regarded as a jazz classic, with many fine recordings by artists including Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in June 1992 for Perfectly Frank, his tribute to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led the trio that accompanied Bennett on the album (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums).

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve included the 1940 recording of “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, with Frank Sinatra on vocals:

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers E.Y. (Yip) Harburg today; Harburg was born in New York City 130 years ago on April 8, 1896.

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Harold Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 for tribute to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank win the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.