The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Saturday, September 13, 2025, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin 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.” Astaire and Rodgers finally danced to “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” in their final film, The Barkleys of Broadway, released in 1949. It is one of the Gershwin brother’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” on October 16, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

This video contains today’s song as performed in both Shall We Dance and The Barkleys of Broadway.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 13, 2025, is “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush on You” was written in 1928 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 by 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. Krall and Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement. The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Kenny Washington, drums) accompanied the album.


“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: How Long Has This Been Going On?

The song of the day for Friday, July 11, 2025, is “How Long Has This Been Going On.”

About This Song

“How Long Has This Been Going On?” was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1928 musical Funny Face (originally titled Smarty). However, it was cut from the production and replaced with “He Loves and She Loves.” The song was used the following year for Rosalie, reportedly because producer Florenz Zeigfeld was quite fond of the number.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Long Has This Been Going On?” in February 28, 1960, for Alone Together, which was released 65 years ago on July 11, 1960. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Long Has This Been Going On?,” as well as Alone Together, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Thursday, May 22, 2025, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was one of the first songs written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936 when they first came to Hollywood and 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 for 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” 57 years ago today on May 22, 1967, for his 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.

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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.