The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The song of the day for Thursday, October 31, 2024, is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. It’s been recorded by Rudy Vallee, Joe Hayames, Ruth Ettings, and Bob Crosby, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Orchestra, recorded “Life is a Song” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangment.

“Life is a Song,” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Life Is A Song

The song of the day for Friday, October 20, 2023, is “Life Is A Song.”

About This Song

“Life Is A Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. This song was first recorded by Rudy Vallee in 1935. Other recordings include those by Ruth Etting, Bob Crosby, and Johnny Mathis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Life Is A Song” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Life Is A Song,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The song of the day for Thursday, February 6, 2020, is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. It has been recorded by Ruth Etting and Johnny Mathis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Life is a Song” on January 5, 1959, with the Count Basie Band. Basie himself played piano for this recording. Basie/Bennett was Bennett’s fifth album.

“Life is a Song,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 1, 2017 is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written in the mid-1930s by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. It’s been recorded by Ruth Etting and Johnny Mathis, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Life is a Song” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. The arrangement was done by Ralph Sharon.

Life Is a Song (Let"s Sing It Together) - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Life Is a Song (Let"s Sing It Together) - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959


“Life is a Song,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Don’t Know Why

The song of the day for Friday, February 10, 2017 is “I Don’t Know Why.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I Don’t Know Why,” was written in 1931 by Fred Ahlert and Roy Turk. This lovely song relates the lover who can’t begin to explain why he loves her, but love her he does indeed. The song was introduced by Russ Columbo and was made popular by the Wayne King Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Don’t Know Why” in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! This song, as well as the rest of the album, was arranged by our musical collaborator of the month, Marion Evans.

I Don"t Know Why (I Just Do)

Listen to I Don"t Know Why (I Just Do) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“I Don’t Know Why,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.