The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Steppin’ Out With My Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 28, 2022, is “Steppin’ Out With My Baby.”

About This Song

“Steppin’ Out With My Baby” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1948 film musical Easter Parade, which starred Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. The score of Easter Parade won the Academy Award for Best Original Music Score.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“Steppin’ Out With My Baby,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire and the “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” number from Easter Parade.

We’ve also got the official video of Tony Bennett singing today’s song!

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Thursday, December 22, 2022, the ninth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” was written in 1940 by Irving Berlin. It’s one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that

The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24th …

And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100 million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “White Christmas” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that Bing Crosby recording from 1942:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

The song of the day for December 17, 2022, the fourth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it in 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his daughter, Antonia Bennett, recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” in 2004 and released it in 2008 for A Swingin’ Christmas. It was arranged by Lee Musiker.

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When I Lost You

The song of the day for Monday, November 28, 2022, is “When I Lost You.”

About This Song

“When I Lost You” was written by Irving Berlin in 1912. This is a lovely and sad ballad that was autobiographical for Berlin. He had married the singer Dorothy Goetz, who contracted typhoid fever on their honeymoon and died from it five months after their wedding. Filled with grief, he wrote this song to her. It did become his first hit ballad. This song has been recorded by Tony Bennett, Dinah Washington, Lena Horne, Chet Baker, and Miles Davis, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When I Lost You” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett with Ralph Sharon.

“When I Lost You,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All Of My Life

The song of the day for Sunday, November 26, 2022, is “All Of My Life.”

About This Song

“All Of My Life” was written in 1944 by Irving Berlin. This sweet ballad expresses the yearning for a nice life with the one you love, a message quite poignant for a country towards the end of World War II. (This song was introduced (and made famous) by Kate Smith. Other recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Harry James, Sarah Vaughan, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of My Life” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.

“All Of My Life,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites