The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The song of the day for Saturday, July 11, 2026, is “I Concentrate On You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” for the film Broadway Melody of 1940. It’s one of Porter’s best songs, with recordings by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Judy Garland among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Concentrate On You” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which contained songs associated with Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I Concentrate On You,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Although Fred Astaire didn’t sing “I Concentrate On You” in Broadway Melody of 1940, he recorded a very fine version on his album Steppin’ Out: Astaire Sings.

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Song of the Day: Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 7, 2026, is “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.”

About Today

My brother Tom was born on July 7, 1953, and should have been 73 years old today (f*$# cancer). He loved his wife and daughter, Volkswagen Beetles, The Grateful Dead, and Fred Astaire movies. Today’s song is for Tom.

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The song was introduced by Mr. Astaire. The film is widely considered to be one of the best of the RKO Astaire and Rogers films; the American Film Institute ranked it 15th on its list of best musicals.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, consisting of songs associated with Fred Astaire. Mr. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 35th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

And of course, we have Mr. Astaire introducing today’s song in the 1935 film Top Hat:

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Thursday, June 25, 2026, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire–Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs Astaire introduced in his films, no dance number was associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” on October 16, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

We have the scene from Shall We Dance where Fred Astaire sings today’s song to Ginger Rogers. Sorry, no dancing.

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Song of the Day: I’m Old Fashioned

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 17, 2026 is “I’m Old Fashioned.”

About This Song

“I’m Old Fashioned” was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Astaire recorded the song first, in 1942 with John Scott Trotter and his orchestra. Other significant recordings include those by Blossom Dearie, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, John Coltrane, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “I’m Old Fashioned” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and led his trio on piano. The trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“I’m Old Fashioned,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred AStaire and Rita Hayworth performing “I’m Old Fashioned” from You Were Never Lovelier.

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Song of the Day: Cheek to Cheek

he song of the day for Monday, May 11, 2026,”Cheek to Cheek.”

About Today

We have another birthday today: Irving Berlin. Israel Isidor Beilin was born in Tyumen, Russia, on May 11, 1988. His family emigrated to the US in 1893, settling in New York. The family name was changed to Berlin when they were naturalized.

You can read more about Irving Berlin at irvingberlin.com.

About This Song

“Cheek to Cheek” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where it was introduced (beautifully) by Fred Astaire. Though the song was nominated for an Academy Award (it lost to “Lullaby Of Broadway”), it became a hit in 1935 and has remained popular to this day. Significant recordings include those by Harry James, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Bing Crosby and many, many more. Fans of the Tom Hanks’ movie The Green Mile might remember this song, as Top Hat is viewed in the prison. For many, it is one of the very first songs that comes to mind when one thinks of Fred Astaire and the 1930s Hollywood musical.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cheek to Cheek” in May 1987 for his tribute to Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin, featuring George Benson on guitar. Bennett wrote the arrangement.

“Cheek to Cheek,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Of course, here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “Cheek to Cheek” from Top Hat.