The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Thursday, March 28, 2024, is “But Beautiful.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta aka Lady Gaga a very happy birthday! She was born on March 28, 1986, in New York City. She loved music and began piano lessons at the age of 4. She enrolled at New York University in their music school but left her studies to start her career as a performer. She first sang with Tony Bennett for their duet of “The Lady is a Tramp” for Duets II and recorded two additional albums with Bennett: Cheek To Cheek and Love For Sale.

About This Song

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

About This Version

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett recorded “But Beautiful” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

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Song of the Day: Dream Dancing

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 28, 2023, is “Dream Dancing.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, on her birthday! Happy birthday! We love you madly.

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Dream Dancing” for the 1941 movie You’ll Never Get Rich, though it was introduced only in its instrumental form. The first recording of the song, with lyrics, was made by Fred Astaire in the same year, with The Delta Rhythm Boys. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Zoot Zims with Jimmy Rowles, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Dream Dancing” for their 2021 album Love For Sale. The orchestral arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Dream Dancing,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video for the recording:

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Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Saturday, March 28, 2015 is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

In Anything Goes, Cole Porter and book writers Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse created one of the great musical comedy characters of all time: Reno Sweeney, played by Ethel Merman in the original 1934 production. The score contains many of Porter’s most popular songs, including “I Get a Kick Out You,” “You’re The Top,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and, of course, “Anything Goes.”

About This Version

Today’s version is the first song on the 2014 album from Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga — Cheek To Cheek. The very swinging arrangement is from the wonderful Marion Evans. I can’t think of a better number to open this album with. It also makes me really happy to think about their planned Cole Porter album. I really want to hear Lady Gaga sing “Down In The Depths.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett would like to wish Lady Gaga a very happy birthday. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in New York City on March 28, 1986. She attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, but left early to pursue her musical career. She does it all: write, perform, and produce. We agree completely with Tony Bennett that she is a force to be reckoned with. We loved her “Lady Is A Tramp” on Duets II and still can’t stop listening to Cheek To Cheek. So, happy birthday, Lady Gaga! And many more!

Anything Goes

Listen to Anything Goes on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“Anything Goes,” as well as Cheek to Cheek, is available from iTunes.

Here’s your Saturday video!

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Happy Birthday to Lady Gaga

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Lady Gaga a fantastic birthday. We hope she’s recovering well from her surgery and wish her the very best. We can hardly wait for her album with Tony and know it’s going to be a huge hit for them both.

To put us all in a great mood, here’s the video of The Lady is a Tramp.  We note that this video has had well over 10 million views on YouTube.  And for good reason.