The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoors gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” in May 1987 for the album Bennett/Berlin. Accompanying Bennett was the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums).

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” from Top Hat.

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Friday, December 19 2025, The 6th day of a Tony Bennett Christmas is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” was written in 1940 by Irving Berlin. It is 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 24 …” 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, with over 100 million copies.

In 1947, Decca Records had to re-create the 1942 recording, using the same artists, as the 1942 was worn out from the constant demand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “White Christmas” in May 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. The recording features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.

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

Here’s Bing Crosby’s 1942 recording of “White Christmas.”

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

The song of the day for Monday, December 15, 2025, the second day 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 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, with The Count Basie Big Band, recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” in 2004 for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: All Of My Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 11, 2025, is “All Of My Life.”

About This Song

“All Of My Life” was written by Irving Berlin in 1944. This sweet ballad expresses the yearning for a nice life with the one that you love, a message that was quite poignant for a country towards the end of World War II. Significant 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 for his album Bennett/Berlin. Dexter Gordon is featured on tenor saxophone.

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

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Song of the Day: Russian Lullaby

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 21, 2025, is “Russian Lullaby.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers the great John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, born on October 21, 1917, in Cheraw, South Carolina.

Dizzy Gillespie lived in Englewood, New Jersey, where Tony Bennett, his first wife Patricia, and his songs Danny and Dae also lived. One day the doorbell rang and a very young Danny answered the door. Gillespie stood there and announced “I’m Dizzy!” The very polite young Danny then asked Dizzy if he’d like come in and have a glass of water.

I heard Tony Bennett tell this story during a online interview. Danny gave his father one of the those “Oh, Dad” looks. I think it’s a funny and charming story.

About This Song

“Russian Lullaby” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927. In the song, Berlin (born Isador Beilin) explores his childhood roots as an Eastern European/Belarusian Jewish immigrant. The song is like a folk melody and the lyrics are lovely. “Russian Lullaby” was first used in vaudeville and gained recognition with the recording by Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra. It has also been recorded by Bunny Berigan, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Russian Lullaby” in May 1987 for the album Bennett/Berlin. Dizzy Gillespie is featured on trumpet.

“Russian Lullaby,” as well as Russian Lullaby, is available on Apple Music.