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 Monday, December 6, 2021, is “I Concentrate On You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” in 1940 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 1993 for his album of songs made famous by Fred Astaires: Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

Here are Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing to “I Concentrate On You” from Broadway Melody of 1940:

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Friday, November 12, 2021, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in 1993 for his album of songs made famous by Fred Astaire, Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Speaking of Fred Astaire and The Band Wagon, here’s that exquisite dance with Astaire and the beautiful Cyd Charisse from the 1953 movie.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Monday, November 8, 2021, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Diets in 1932 for the Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” in 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out, an album of songs associated with Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements for the album. Bennett is accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

I hope you have time to watch this wonderful dance number from The Band Wagon. Astaire insisted on using a real bootblack instead of an actor for the number. They discovered the 23-year old Leroy Davis. You can read more about him here. I think he gives Astaire a run for his money.!

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Song of the Day: City of the Angels

The song of the day for Friday, October 29, 2021, is “City of the Angels.”

About This Song

“City of the Angels” was written by Tommy Wolf and Tommy Wolfe around 1975. In addition to Fred Astaire’s phenomenal gifts as a singer, dancer and actor, he was also a fine songwriter. In addition to “City of Angels,” he also wrote “I’m Building Up to an Awful Letdown” (written with Johnny Mercer) and “It’s Like Taking Candy From a Baby,” which he recorded with Benny Goodman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “City of the Angels” in 1986 for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli arranged the song and conducted the orchestra.

“City of the Angels,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day

The song of the day for Sunday, October 24, 2021, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin or the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” in 1987 for the album Bennett/Berlin. Bennett was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio and Sharon has a nice turn in this recording.

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that scene from Top Hat. Enjoy!

Top Hat: Isn"t This a Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

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