The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Monday, April 20, 2026, is “It Had To Be You.”

About Today

Today’s song is from Bennett’s album When Lights Are Low, which was released 64 years ago on April 20, 1964. It’s a fine album made with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums) and a jazz-oriented selection of songs.

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. This popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards, and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several fiLms, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” on March 24, 1964, for When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

The song of the day for Friday, February 27, 2026, is “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet.”

About Today

Tony Bennett released Astoria: Portrait of the Artist 36 years ago on February 27, 1990. With this album, he honors the Astoria neighborhood where he grew up. It’s also an autobiographic look at his life when he returned home after his service in World War II.

About This Song

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” was written in 1932 by Harry M. Woods and Gus Kahn. It was first recorded by Ruth Etting in 1932. Other significant recordings include those by Al Bowlly with the Ray Noble Orchestra, The Lennon Sisters, Nat “King” Cole, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” on May 16, 1989, for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

We have Al Bowlly‘s 1933 charming recording of “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet.”

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Song of the Day: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, is “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was composed in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was first recorded by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra, The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong, with Ella Fitzgerald, recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in March 2002 for Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

We have the 1950 recording of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

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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: My Baby Just Cares For Me

The song of the day for Thursday, June 26, 2025, is “My Baby Just Cares For Me.”

About This Song

“My Baby Just Cares For Me” was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn for the 1930 film version of Whoopee! with Eddie Cantor. Though recorded by many artists, the song is widely associated with Nina Simone, who recorded it for her 1958 debt album Little Girl Blue.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Baby Just Cares For Me” on December 22, 1954, for his first LP studio album, Cloud 7. Charles Panely, who played trumpet for the album, wrote the arrangement.

“My Baby Just Cares For Me,” as well as Cloud 7, is available on Apple Music.