The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Thursday, August 29, 2024, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Damsel In Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It 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 July 1993 for his album of Fred Astaire songs, Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

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

Here’s Fred Astaire’s performance of “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from Damsel In Distress, where he partners with a drum kit:

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

The song of the day for Sunday, August 25, 2024, is “They Can’t Take Away From Me.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birthday of Declan Patrick MacManus OBE, better known by his stage name Elvis Costello. He was born on August 25, 1954. Elvis duetted with Tony Bennett on today’s song.

About This Song

“They Can’t Take Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936 for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers 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.” 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 and Elvis Costello recorded “They Can’t Take Away From Me” live on April 12, 1994, for Tony Bennett’s MTV Unplugged television program.

MTV Unplugged won the 1994 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“They Can’t Take Away From Me,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Elvis and Tony singing today’s song:

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Song of the Day: ‘S Wonderful

The song of the day for Sunday, July 14. 2024, is “‘S Wonderful.”

About This Song

“‘S Wonderful” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1927 Broadway musical Funny Face, which starred Fred and Adele Astaire. The song was introduced by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns. This song has been popular since it was written, with many fine recordings, including those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, John Pizzarelli, Sarah Vaughan, and many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “‘S Wonderful” in 2018 for their album of Gershwin songs, Love Is Here To Stay. They were accompanied by The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“‘S Wonderful,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve also a clip from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon when Tony Bennett and Diana Krall appeared is 2018:

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Song of the Day: I Got Rhythm

The song of the day for Monday, June 3, 2024, is “I Got Rhythm.”

About This Song

“I Got Rhythm” was written in 1928 by George and Ira Gershwin. George Gershwin originally wrote this song with a slow tempo for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl. In 1930 for Girl Crazy, he decided on a faster rhythm. The song was introduced by Ethel Merman and became wildly popular based on her performance. Artists including Miss Merman, Fred Astaire, John Pizzarelli, and Ethel Waters have recorded it many times. It’s one of the great jazz standards.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Got Rhythm” live on September 15, 2016, at Radio City Music Hall at a special concert to celebrate Bennett’s 90th birthday, at which friends and collaborators sang songs that Tony had recorded as well as a set by Bennett. Highlights from the celebration were released on the album Tony Bennett Celebrates 90.

“I Got Rhythm,” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Thursday, May 23, 2024, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and was slated for the movie Shall We Dance featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs of filming the sequence. The song faded from then and was only published in 1967. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” on May 22, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available on Apple Music.