The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since its first publication, with recordings from 1924. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Krall and Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 61st Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for Saturday, March 25, 2023, is “Do It Again.”

About This Song

“Do It Again” was written in 1922 by George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Gershwin was in a meeting with his publisher, Max Dreyfus when DeSylva walked in and said “Let’s write a hit!” Gershwin started composing on the spot. DeSylva listened for a few minutes and then sang “Oh, do it again.” Gershwin played the song at parties when it was heard by Irene Bordoni, who wanted to perform it in her show The French Doll. It’s been widely recorded, including a wonderful Judy Garland recording from her 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall, released on Judy at Carnegie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for their album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush on You

The song of the day for Friday, March 24, 2023, is “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush on You” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb and May Hay and again in 1930 for Strike Up The Band, where it was sung by Doris Caron and Gordon Smith. It’s been widely sung jazz vocalists, including Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “I’ve Got a Crush on You” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got a Crush on You,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Monday, January 2, 2023, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written in 1936 by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rogers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” However, the song was used again in the 1945 film The Barkleys of Broadway, where Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced to “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” in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

I found this video that has the 1937 version of Astaire singing “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” from Shall We Dance and 1949’s The Barkleys of Broadway with Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing.

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Song of the Day: Who Cares

The song of the day for Saturday, October 1, 2022, is “Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me).”

About This Song

“Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me)” was written in 1931 by George and Ira Gershwin for the Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing. It’s one of their very popular songs with many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland. Tony Bennett sang this song regularly in his concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me)” on July 18, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. His pianist John Bunch wrote the arrangement.

“Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me),” as well as For One In My Life is available on Apple Music.

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