The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Makin’ Whoopee

The song of the day for Saturdayi, November 15, 2025, is “Makin’ Whoopee.”

About This Song

“Makin’ Whoopee” was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn for the 1928 musical Whoopee!, which starred Eddie Cantor and who introduced the song. It does, of course, refer to sexual intimacy and lists all the things that follow from that (wedding, honeymoon, babies, etc.). It has been widely recorded over the years.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Cyndi Lauper recorded “Makin’ Whoopee” in 2003 for Cyndi Lauper: At Last. They were accompanied by Lee Musiker (piano), Gray Sargent (guitar), Paul Langosch (bass) and Clayton Cameron (drums).

“Makin’ Whoopee,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dat Dere

The song of the day for Saturday, July 26, 2025, is “Dat Dere.”

About This Song

“Dat Dere” was written in 1960 by Bobby Timmons. It was first played by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in 1960, with Timmons on piano. Oscar Brown, Jr. wrote lyrics for the tune in 1961 for his album Sin & Soul. The song has been recorded by jazz and popular singers, including Mel Tormé and Rickie Lee Jones.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dat Dere” in June 1988 for his album for children, The Playground, with The Ralph Sharon Quartet (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, Gray Sargent on guitar, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“Dat Dere,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: (It’s Only) A Paper Moon

The song of the day for is “(It’s Only) A Paper Moon.”

About This Song

“(It’s Only) A Paper Moon” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. Originally written for an unsuccessful play called The Great Magoo, this song was used in the 1933 movie Take a Chance. Paul Whiteman recorded it that year. There were two very fine recordings in the 1940s by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, which sealed the popularity of the song. Since that time, it has been a popular and jazz favorite that has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “(It’s Only) A Paper Moon” in The Playground, an album for children. The Ralph Sharon Quartet accompanied Bennett, with Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“(It’s Only) A Paper Moon,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Friday, March 28, 2025, is “But Beautiful.”

About Today

We are very happy to wish Lady Gaga a wonderful and happy birthday. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in New York City on March 28, 1986. We admire her talent as a singer, songwriter, and actor. We love her for her loving friendship with Tony Bennett, exemplified in she asked Bennett if she could accompany him off the stage at his last concert.

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “But Beautiful” in 2014 for their first album of duets, Cheek To Cheek. Gray Sargent‘s guitar for this recording is exceptional. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“But Beautiful” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video for “But Beautiful.”

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Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Friday, March 14, 2025, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others. The song was a favorite of your author when she was a small child. I actually remember singing it loudly at the breakfast table one morning.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his children’s album, The Playground. Bennett was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Quartet, featuring Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosh on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.