The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 9, 2023, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” This song was used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” in June 1993 for his album in honor of Fred Astaire, Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“By Myself,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Astaire’s performance of “By Myself” from the 1953 film The Band Wagon:

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, July 30, 2023, 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 July 1993 for his album dedicated to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

Here are Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dancing to today’s song, from the 1953 file The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 25, 2023, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 film Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Dorothy Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting.

Dorothy Fields remarked:

The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.

It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song (in only one take, it’s said) for the 1997 movie My Best Friend’s Wedding. This recording is included in Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, which was included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve also got Fred Astaire’s introduction of “The Way You Look Tonight” from Swing Time. Note that Astaire doesn’t dance to this number. Instead, he sits at the piano and sings it to Ginger Rogers.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 18, 2023, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

This delightful song was written by Irving Berlin in 1935 for 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 May 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin.

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

We have the video of this song from Top Hat, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers:

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Song of the Day: Dearly Beloved

The song of the day for Friday, July 1, 2023, is “Dearly Beloved.”

About This Song

“Dearly Beloved” was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer in 1942 for the film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. The song was nominated for an Academy Award.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by The Bill Charlap Trio, sings “Dear Beloved,” from his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Dearly Beloved,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire singing today’s song from the movie You Were Never Lovelier:

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