The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Saturday, October 31, 2026, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin for the 1941 Broadway musical Lady in the Dark, starring Gertrude Lawrence. The song has had many fine recordings including those by Sarah Vaughan, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, and Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Ship” on April 9, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“My Ship,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

I found this lovely recording of “My Ship” by Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass, from their 1986 album Easy Living.

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Song of the Day: He Loves and She Loves

The song of the day for Thursday, October 22, 2026, is “He Loves and She Loves.”

About This Song

“He Loves and She Loves” was written in 1927 by George and Ira Gershwin. It was used in the 1927 Broadway musical Funny Face and was introduced by Adele Astaire and Allen Kerns. the song was used in the 1957 film Funny Face, starring Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn, where it sung by Fred Astaire.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “He Loves and She Loves” in June 1993 for tribute to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. He was accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums).

“He Loves and She Loves,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the scene from Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn.

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Monday, October 12, 2026, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film A Damsel in Distress, starring Fred Astaire. Significant recordings include those by Tommy Dorsey, Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson, and Fred Astaire with The Ray Noble Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nice Work If You Can Get It” in July 1993 for Steppin’ Out, accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon: piano, Doug Richeson: bass, and clayton Cameron: drums). Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, we have Fred Astaire’s performance of “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from the 1937 A Damsel in Distress. It starts with a party scene where “Nice Work If You Can Get It” is sung:

Followed by Fred Astaire and the drum set.

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Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Sunday, September 13, 2026, is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

“They All Laughed” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 movie Shall We Dance, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “They All Laughed” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement,

“They All Laughed,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, here’s the scene with Astaire and Rogers in Shall We Dance, where “They All Laughed” was introduced.

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Sunday, August 9, 2026, is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Damsel In Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Nice Work If You Can Get It” for their 2018 album Love Us Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote arrangement. The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Kenny Washington, drums) accompanied Bennett and Krall on this album.

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Love Is Here to Stay, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire from Damsel in Distress, performing today’s song: