The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Friday, December 3. 2021, is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

“If I Could Be With You” was written in 1926 by James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer. Pianist Johnson, who wrote this song, made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include this by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Could Be With You” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

“If I Could Be With You,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: After You’ve Gone

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 10, 2020, is “After You’ve Gone.”

About This Song

“After You’ve Gone” was written in 1918 by Turner Layton and Henry Creamer. Originally recorded by Marion Harris in 1918, “After You’ve Gone” has found a solid place in the jazz and popular songbook. Recorded by Bennett as a ballad, the song works for a variety of tempos both as an instrumental and a vocal. Louis Armstrong recorded an up-tempo swing version in 1929.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “After You’ve Gone” in 1960 for the album Alone Together. Frank DeVol did the arrangement and orchestration.

After You"ve Gone

Listen to After You"ve Gone on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“After You’ve Gone,” as well as Alone Together, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Sunday, December 4, 2016 is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

James P. Johnson
James P. Johnson

Pianist James P. Johnson, who wrote this song with lyrics by Henry Creamer, made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Could Be With You” in 1996 for his 2007 album of Billie Holiday songs Tony Bennett On Holiday.

If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight)

Listen to If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.


“If I Could Be With You,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 9, 2016 is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “If I Could Be With You,” was written in 1926 by pianist James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer. Composer Johnson made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include this by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Could Be With You” in 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Bennett won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for this album.

If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight)

Listen to If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.


“If I Could Be With You,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Sunday, April 12, 2015 is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

“If I Could Be With You” was written in 1926 by the pianist James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer. Johnson, made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Today’s song is the sixth song from Tony Bennett on Holiday. Ralph Sharon’s accompaniment is excellent and does a great job of setting the song in the 1920s stride piano style.

If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight)

Listen to If I Could Be With You(One Hour Tonight) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.

“If I Could Be With You ,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

It appears that Holiday never recorded “If I Could Be With You,” though she is known for having sung it live early in career. So, instead of a Lady Day version, we have several others:

James P. Johnson

If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)

Listen to If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight) on Spotify. James P. Johnson · Song · 1991.

Louis Armstrong

If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight

Listen to If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight on Spotify. Louis Armstrong · Song · 2006.

Diana Washington

If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight

Listen to If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight on Spotify. Dinah Washington · Song · 2015.

Kay Starr

If I Could Be with You (One Hour Tonight)

Listen to If I Could Be with You (One Hour Tonight) on Spotify. Kay Starr · Song · 2013.

Benny Goodman and His Rhythm Makers

If I Could be with you one Hour Tonight

Listen to If I Could be with you one Hour Tonight on Spotify. Benny Goodman, Benny Goodman Rhythm Makers · Song · 2011.

Count Basie and His Orchestra

If I Could Be with You One Hour Tonight (with Count Basie & His Orchestra)

Listen to If I Could Be with You One Hour Tonight (with Count Basie & His Orchestra) on Spotify. Helen Humes, Count Basie · Song · 2014.

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