The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)

The song of the day for Sunday, May 11, 2025, is “The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On).”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is celebrating Irving Berlin, who was born as Israel Isidore Beilin on May 11, 1888, in Tyumen, Siberia, where his father was an itinerant cantor. The family immigrated to the United States and arrived at Ellis Island on September 14, 1893.

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927 for the musical Will o’ the Whispers.

In his book The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia, Thomas Hischak calls this song “… an Irving Berlin standard whose title has been called the theme of all popular music, a chilling number in which both the lover and the ballad that was ‘their song’ is gone; yet neither can be forgotten because they remain in one’s memory.” This song was recorded in 1927 by Ruth Etting and has remained popular over the years with recordings by Dick Haymes, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeri Southern, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” in May 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. The recording features Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet.

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On),” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Cheek To Cheek

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 11, 2021, is “Cheek To Cheek.”

About Today

Israel Berlin, later known as Irving Berlin, was born in Tolochin, Russian Empire on May 11, 1888. His family emigrated to the United States when he was only five years old. He is widely considered on the great songwriters in American history, with his tremendous contributions to both film and stage productions. Berlin lived to be 101 years old, dying on September 22, 1989.

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 and Lady Gaga recorded “Cheek To Cheek” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. The wonderful Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

Cheek To Cheek

Listen to Cheek To Cheek on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014

“Cheek To Cheek,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available from Apple Music.

About Irving Berlin’s Piano

Berlin was a self-taught pianist who preferred to play on the black keys and played only in F#. He composed on a transposing upright piano, his first one was made in 1909. In 1940, another was made for him by Weser Brothers in New York. He only needed to adjust the transposing mechanism to change the key.The 1940 piano resides in the Smithsonian Museum. This video shows Berlin demonstrating the transposing feature to Dinah Shore and Tony Martin.

Irving Berlin- on television (very RARE clip)

In one of his RARE few television appearances, Irving Berlin explains the workings of his "special" piano to Dinah Shore and Tony Martin, and plays an early composition.

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Song of the Day: Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

The song of the day for Thursday, May 11, 2017 is “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote this song for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; the song was introduced by Mr. Astaire. The film is widely considered to be one of the best of the RKO Astaire and Rogers films; the American Film Institute ranked it 15th on its list of best musicals.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” in 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out, which consisted of songs associated with Fred Astaire. It’s a fun album, just like this song.

Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

Listen to Top Hat, White Tie and Tails on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we honor the memory of Irving Berlin, who was born on May 11, 1888 as Israel Isidore Baline in the town of Tolochin in Belarus, part of the Russian Empire. His father was a cantor and like many other Jewish families, sought refuge in the United States, specifically in New York’s Lower East Side. From these humble beginnings, Berlin grew into one of America’s greatest songwriters.

Happy Birthday, Irving Berlin!

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Song of the Day: I Got Lost in Her Arms

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 11, 2016 is “I Got Lost in Her Arms.”

About This I Got Lost in Her Arms

Today’s song from Irving Berlin’s wonderful 1946 musical Annie Get Your Gun, which starred Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton. The song’s actual title is “I Got Lost in His Arms” and was introduced by Miss Merman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this beautiful version of today’s song in 1986 for The Art of Excellence. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

I Got Lost In Her Arms

Listen to I Got Lost In Her Arms on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“I Got Lost in Her Arms,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today marks the 128th anniversary of the birth of Irving Berlin, who was born as Israel Isidore Baline in Tyumen, Russia. He wrote some of the great American songs, songs that will never become unpopular: “White Christmas,” “God Bless America,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and many, many more.

We love this quote from Jerome Kern:

Irving Berlin has no place in American music–he is American music.