The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 4, 2019, is “Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors by Arthur Schwartz (music) and Howard Dietz (lyrics). 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. This album consists of songs either introduced or made famous by Fred Astaire. The arrangement was written by Tony and his pianist Ralph Sharon.

Shine On Your Shoes

Shine On Your Shoes, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

We also have a video of Astaire’s performance of “A Shine On Your Shoes” from The Band Wagon.

Shine On Your Shoes

Fred Astaire and Leroy Daniels. “For the “Shine on My Shoes” number, Fred Astaire wanted to dance with the bootblack. They found the real thing in Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man working in downtown Los Angeles.” – from tcm.com

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Song of the Dark: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Saturday, April 14, 2018 is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard 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 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. The excellent arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

Dancing in the Dark

Listen to Dancing in the Dark on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our Saturday video is from the 1953 film Dancing in the Dark and features Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Her skirt is simply amazing.

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 16, 2018 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 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out, which features songs sung by Fred Astaire. Astaire recorded today’s song for his 1952 4-LP album The Astaire Story.

I Concentrate on You

Listen to I Concentrate on You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“I Concentrate On You,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 5, 2017 is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine on Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 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 Sine on Your Shoes” in 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out, which featured songs sung by Bennett’s good friend Fred Astaire.

Shine On Your Shoes

Listen to Shine On Your Shoes on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

As a special treat, here’s Fred Astaire singing and dancing to today’s song.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Saturday, October 21, 2017 is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard 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 this version of “Dancing in the Dark” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which featured songs introduced by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon created the arrangement.

Dancing In the Dark

Listen to Dancing In the Dark on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video this Saturday, here are Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire dancing to this number from the 1953 film The Band Wagon.