The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Monday, September 18, 2023, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written in 1929 by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb.
It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it is sometimes sung with plans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

We have this video of Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan performing today’s song from the 1953 film The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: By Myself

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 9, 2023, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” This song was used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” in June 1993 for his album in honor of Fred Astaire, Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“By Myself,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Astaire’s performance of “By Myself” from the 1953 film The Band Wagon:

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, July 30, 2023, is “Dancing in the Dark”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 for his album dedicated to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Dancing in the Dark” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dancing to today’s song, from the 1953 file The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 30, 2023, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show and was introduced by Clifton Webb. It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung (and danced) by Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in July 1993 for his album of Fred Astaire songs, Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won. the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.


“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

And here are Mr. Astaire and Mr. Buchanan from The Band Wagon:

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 22, 2023, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Dancing in the Dark” on April 6, 1961, for the album My Heart Sings, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

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