The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Put On A Happy Face

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 12, 2025, is “Put On A Happy Face.”

About Today

We want to wish James Taylor a very happy birthday. Taylor, Tony Bennett’s duet partner for today’s song, was born 77 years ago today on March 12, 1948.

About This Song

“Put On A Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 Broadway musical Bye, Bye Birdie, which was based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and James Taylor recorded “Put On A Happy Face” on February 7, 2006 for the 2006 album Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Put On A Happy Face,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

We are happy to include the official video for the recording, which includes an interview with Tony Bennett, James Taylor, and Phil Ramone, who produced the album.

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Song of the Day: Put On A Happy Face

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 12, 2024, is “Put On A Happy Face.”

About Today

Today we want to wish James Taylor a very happy birthday! James was born on March 12, 1948. He’s won six Grammy Awards and was. inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He’s one the best-selling musicians of all time, having sold over 100 million records. Happy Birthday, James!

About This Song

“Put On A Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 musical Bye, Bye Birdie, based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and James Taylor recorded “Put On A Happy Face” on February 7, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Put On A Happy Face,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a nice video from the taping of this duet, with a lovely introduction from Phil Ramone:

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Song of the Day: Everybody Has The Blues

The song of the day for Thursday, November 17, 2022, is “Everybody Has The Blues.”

About This Song

“Everybody Has The Blues” was written by James Taylor in 1976. Taylor is one of the great singer-songwriters of the last 50 years. In addition to today’s song, he also wrote “You’ve Got A Friend” and “Carolina In My Mind.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ray Charles recorded “Everybody Has The Blues” in 1985. The recording was released in 1986 on The Art of Excellence.

“Everybody Has The Blues,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Everybody Has The Blues

The song of the day for Friday, September 23, 2016 is “Everybody Has The Blues.”

About This Song

James Taylor wrote “Everybody Has the Blues” in 1976. Taylor is one of America’s great singer-songwriters of the last fifty years. In addition to “Everybody Has the Blues,” his songs include “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Carolina In My Mind.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ray Charles recorded this duet in 1985 for Bennett’s album The Art of Excellence.

Everybody Has The Blues

Listen to Everybody Has The Blues on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“Everybody Has The Blues,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to dedicate today’s song to the late Ray Charles, who was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia and raised in Greenville, Florida. Charles attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine from 1937 to 1945, which is where he developed his love of and talent for music. He came into prominence in the 1950s as a soul music artist. He wrote and recorded steadily throughout his career and until his death in 2004.

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Song of the Day: Everybody Has The Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 19, 2016 is “Everybody Has The Blues.”

About This Song

James Taylor, who wrote “Everybody Has the Blues” in 1976, is one of America’s great singer-songwriters of the last 45 years. In addition to “Everybody Has the Blues,” his songs include “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Carolina In My Mind.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Everybody Has The Blues” with Ray Charles in 1985 for Bennett’s The Art of Excellence.

Everybody Has The Blues

Listen to Everybody Has The Blues on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“Everybody Has The Blues,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.