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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 5, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Count Basie, Fred Ahlert, Joe Young, The Count Basie BAnd, Tony Bennett

July 31, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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. Count Basie · Song · 1959.


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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Count Basie and His Orchestra, Fred Ahlert, Joe Young, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett

February 9, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.


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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Fred Ahlert, Marion Evans, Roy Turk, Tony Bennett, Tony Makes It Happen!

June 15, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Don’t Know Why

The song of the day for Thursday, June 16, 2016 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. The song was introduced by Russ Columbo and was made popular by the Wayne King Orchestra.

About This Version

Marion Evans and Tony Bennett in 1967. Photo by Milt Hinton.
Marion Evans and Tony Bennett in 1967. Photo by Milt Hinton.

Tony Bennett recorded “I Don’t Know Why” in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! The arrangement is by our good friend Marion Evans.

I Don"t Know Why (I Just Do)

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


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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Fred Ahlert, Marion Evans, Roy Turk, Tony Makes It Happen!

August 21, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The Year of Tony Bennett is happy to celebrate the birthday of the great Count Basie, who was born this day in 1904.

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 21, 2013 is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young; the song was written in 1935. Other Ahlert songs include “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.”

About This Version

Today’s song is from the album Basie/Bennett, released in 1959. This album featured Tony Bennett with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, only this song and “Jeepers Creepers” featured Basie himself on piano.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2d0KVeTGh0NtRMJTyMITGY
“Life is a Song,” as well as the Basie/Bennett album, is available on iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Basie/Bennett, Count Basie, Fred Ahlert, Happy Birthday Count Basie, Joe Young

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