The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Saturday, October 3, 2026, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields in 1936 for the Fred Astaire movie Swing Time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” for his 1915 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Accompanying Bennett is The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. Bill Charlap also produced the album and wrote the arrangements.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

We’re pleased to include this clip from Swing Time of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to “Pick Yourself Up.”

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Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Sunday, September 13, 2026, is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

“They All Laughed” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 movie Shall We Dance, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “They All Laughed” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement,

“They All Laughed,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, here’s the scene with Astaire and Rogers in Shall We Dance, where “They All Laughed” was introduced.

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

The song of the day for Thursday, June 25, 2026, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire–Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs Astaire introduced in his films, no dance number was 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 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.

We have the scene from Shall We Dance where Fred Astaire sings today’s song to Ginger Rogers. Sorry, no dancing.

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Song of the Day: Cheek to Cheek

he song of the day for Monday, May 11, 2026,”Cheek to Cheek.”

About Today

We have another birthday today: Irving Berlin. Israel Isidor Beilin was born in Tyumen, Russia, on May 11, 1988. His family emigrated to the US in 1893, settling in New York. The family name was changed to Berlin when they were naturalized.

You can read more about Irving Berlin at irvingberlin.com.

About This Song

“Cheek to Cheek” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where it was introduced (beautifully) by Fred Astaire. Though the song was nominated for an Academy Award (it lost to “Lullaby Of Broadway”), it became a hit in 1935 and has remained popular to this day. Significant recordings include those by Harry James, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Bing Crosby and many, many more. Fans of the Tom Hanks’ movie The Green Mile might remember this song, as Top Hat is viewed in the prison. For many, it is one of the very first songs that comes to mind when one thinks of Fred Astaire and the 1930s Hollywood musical.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cheek to Cheek” in May 1987 for his tribute to Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin, featuring George Benson on guitar. Bennett wrote the arrangement.

“Cheek to Cheek,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Of course, here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “Cheek to Cheek” from Top Hat.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoors 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 the album Bennett/Berlin. Accompanying Bennett was the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums).

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

Here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” from Top Hat.