The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Friday, January 5, 2018 is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose,” written in 1929, is one of Fats Waller’s better known tunes and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Andy Razaf’s lyric is delightful. Waller recorded the song in 1934 and that recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been recorded steadily throughout the years, including the one from Lena Horne in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies. This album consists of songs associated with some of America’s greatest female singers. Today’s song was associated with Lena Horne, who sang this song frequently.

Honeysuckle Rose

Listen to Honeysuckle Rose on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Sunday, November 5, 2017 is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for Judy Garland to sing in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed downed the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts.The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “… has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Over the Rainbow” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Listen to Somewhere over the Rainbow on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Over the Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

I’m also pleased to present this lovely and timeless video of Yip Harburg talking about and singing today’s song.

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Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 17, 2017 is “Maybe This Time.”

About This Song

“Maybe This Time” was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb; the song appeared in the film version of Cabaret. It was not written for the original Broadway production. Nor was it written especially for the film version; Kander and Ebb had written the song in 1963 for Kaye Ballard. It was therefore not eligible for consideration for an Academy Award. The song is, of course, widely associated with Liza Minnelli, who sang it in the film version of Cabaret. Tony Bennett sings the song regularly at his concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Maybe This Time” for his 1995 album Here’s To The Ladies.

Maybe This Time

Listen to Maybe This Time on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Maybe This Time,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Monday, May 8, 2017 is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

Written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1939, “Over The Rainbow” is from the great Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed downed the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts.The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “… has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Over The Rainbow” 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett sang songs associated with the greatest female singers of the 20th century, including Margaret Whiting, Lena Horne and Billie Holiday. “Over The Rainbow” is, of course, for his friend Judy Garland.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Listen to Somewhere over the Rainbow on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

About Today

I absolutely adore Yip Harburg. I think you will too after watching this little film:

Here’s Judy’s version from her legendary concert at Carnegie Hall in 1961:

Over The Rainbow - Live At Carnegie Hall/1961

Listen to Over The Rainbow - Live At Carnegie Hall/1961 on Spotify. Song · Judy Garland · 1961

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Song of the Day: Moonlight In Vermont

The song of the day for Friday, January 13, 2017 is “Moonlight In Vermont.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Moonlight In Vermont,” was written in 1944 by Karl Suessdorf and John Blackburn. The song was made famous by Margaret Whiting, who recorded it in 1944 with Billy Butterfield and his Orchestra. It has been popular ever since, with other recordings by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Moonlight In Vermont” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies, which honors the great female vocalists of the. 20th century. This song is, of course, in honor of Margaret Whiting. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Moonlight In Vermont

Listen to Moonlight In Vermont on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Moonlight In Vermont,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.