The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Sunday, December 30, 2018, is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. This song is a 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 this version of “It Had To Be You” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low.

It Had To Be You – 2011 Remaster

It Had To Be You – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’m Through With Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 31, 2018, is “I’m Through With Love.”

About This Song

“I’m Through With Love” was written in 1931 by Fud Livingston, Matty Malneck, and Gus Kahn. The song has been popular since it was written, with recordings by Nat Cole, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughan, among many others. Marilyn Monroe sang the song in the 1959 film Some Like It Hot.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Through With Love” in 1959 with Ralph Sharon for their unique album Tony Sings For Two, for which Bennett and Sharon were the only musicians. It’s a lovely album with an impeccable selection of songs.

I"m Thru With Love

Listen to I"m Thru With Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“I’m Through With Love,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Saturday, June 23, 2018 is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It Had To Be You” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Tony Bennett is well-known for his volunteerism and charitable contributions. He is well-known for his appearances at fund raisers. Today we have a video from a televised Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon. I’m not sure of the date, but my guess it’s from the late 1970s or early 1980s.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 21, 2017 is “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was written in 1931, with music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn. This song was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra and 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 first recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in 2002 for their album A Wonderful World.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Listen to Dream a Little Dream of Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“Dream a Little Dream of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Thursday, September 28, 2017 is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. It’s been a popular song since it was written, with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards and Frank Sinatra. It has also been used in several films, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” in 1994 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for his MTV Unplugged concert.

It Had To Be You - Live Version

Listen to It Had To Be You - Live Version on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1994


“It Had To Be You,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from iTunes.