The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Monday, April 14, 2025, is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924, with music by Isham Jones and lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song is a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards, and Frank Sinatra. It has also been used in several films, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with his trio (Ralph Sharon, piano; Doug Richeson, bass; Clayton Cameron, drums), performed the songs for MTV Unplugged on April 12, 1994. The album MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett – Live was released in July 1994.

MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett – Live won two 1994 Grammy Awards:

  • Album of the Year
  • Best Traditional Pop Performance

“It Had To Be You,” as well as MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett – Live, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the television program:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Friday, August 20, 2021, is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. It’s a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards, and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It Had To Be You” in 1964 with The Ralph Sharon Trio, for the album When Lights Are Low.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

I have a very special video of Tony singing “It Had To Be You” on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1965. The recording is breathtaking.

Tony Bennett "It Had To Be You" on The Ed Sullivan Show

Tony Bennett "It Had To Be You" on The Ed Sullivan Show, June 27, 1965. Subscribe now to never miss an update: https://ume.lnk.to/EdSullivanSubscribe Watch more of Tony Bennett"s performances on The Ed Sullivan Show: https://youtube.com/watch?v=hT5VOnaGRSU Watch Motown performances from The Ed Sullivan Show https://youtube.com/watch?v=B9YrYoY0N4I&list=PLQWND5qZhbj3tfQKiK-5FzjLSTUz5WRTf Watch classic Rock and Roll performances from The Ed Sullivan Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxrz00XSOAo&list=PLQWND5qZhbj06AA1fnZQnHvOqP5ZctF8Y Watch Iconic Singers perform on The Ed Sullivan Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIIU9xkGAMs&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1fSTRzLrpV3vLO1yOGx8vH Sign up to receive the Ed Sullivan Show newsletter!

By Leave a Comment

Tony Live! It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Saturday, July 18. 2020., is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. It’s a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards, and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, including Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged, which introduced a new generation to Tony Bennett.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

By 2 Comments

Song of the Day: One For My Baby/It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Thursday, February 20, 2020, is “One For My Baby/It Had To Be You.”

About These Songs

“One For My Baby” was written in 1943 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. “It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his pianist John Bunch, recorded this medley in 1970. Exquisite is not a word I throw around lightly, but this recording is exquisite. If you close your eyes, you might think Tony is in the room, singing just to you. The recording was released on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

“One For My Baby/It Had To Be You,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 14, 2020, is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had to Be You” was written by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn in 1924. It’s a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edward,s and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, including Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. Sharon wrote the arrangement; his piano on this song is lovely.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.