The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’m Old Fashioned

The song of the day for Saturday, November 8, 2025, 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: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Sunday, October 5, 2025, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show and was introduced by Clifton Webb. It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it is often sung with Plans. The song was also used in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in July 1993 for the album Stepping’ Out, which was released 32 years ago on October 5, 1993.

Steppin’ Out won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

We have Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan performing “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” from The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: You’re All The World To Me

The song of the day for Friday, September 5, 2025, is “You’re All The World To Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All The World To Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’re All The World To Me” in June 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“You’re All The World To Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Steppin’ Out won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Here’s Astaire’s performance of “You’re All The World To Me” from Royal Wedding:

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Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for Friday, July 1, 2025, is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

“Night and Day” was written by Cole Porter for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song became and still is quite popular and certainly a standard in the American songbook. Significant recordings include those by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Django Reinhardt.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire singing “Night and Day” from the the 1934 movie The Gay Divorcee, which was based in the 1932 Broadway musical The Gay Divorce.

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Saturday, May 10, 2025, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About Today

We are celebrating Fred Astaire, who was born on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska.

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Damsels in Distress. Fred Astaire introduced the song in the film, in a dance with a drum kit. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in May 1993 for his 1993 album Steppin’ Out, a tribute album to Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire, performing “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from Damsels in Distress, released in 1937.