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 Wednesday, May 20, 2026, is “Life Is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life Is a Song” was written by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young in 1935. Early recordings include those by Rudy Vallee, Ruth Ettings, and Bob Crosby.

About This Version

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

“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 Saturday, October 18, 2025, is “Life Is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life Is a Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. The first recording was made by Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees. Other recordings include those by Ruth Etting, Bob Crosby, and Joe Haymes and His Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Life Is a Song” on January 6, 1959 for the 1959 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.

Here’s the original recording by Rudy Vallee:

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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.