The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: They Didn’t Believe Me

The song of the day for Saturday, February 22, 2025, is “They Didn’t Believe Me.”

About This Song

“They Didn’t Believe Me” was written by Jerome Kern and Herbert Reynolds for the 1914 musical The Girl From Utah. The song became a standard, including it being reused in the 1949 movie The Midnight Kiss, in a duet with Mario Lanza and Kathryn Grayson. It has been widely recorded by singers, including Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Bing Crosby. Instrumental recordings include those by Marian McPartland, Charlie Parker, and Stan Kenton.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “They Didn’t Believe Me” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern. In addition to leading the trio on piano (with Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums, Charlap wrote all of the arrangements on the album and produced it as well.

“They Didn’t Believe Me,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Monday, January 27, 2025, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About Today

Today we are remembering Jerome Kern, who was born on January 27, 1885, in New York City.

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 movie Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” with The Ralph Sharon Trio in 1977 for the soundtrack of My Best Friend’s Wedding.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Sunday, January 5, 2025, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Dorothy Fields and Jerome Kern for the 1936 film Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. It was used in the early part of the film when Astaire pretends to not be able to dance and asks for Ginger Rogers as his dance instructor just so he could dance with her. This song has been widely recorded, including those by Nat King Cole, Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “Pick Yourself Up” in 2015 for his album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. In addition to leading the trio (Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums), Bill Charlap also wrote the arrangements and co-produced the album with Dae Bennett.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a couple of videos today. First up, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from Swing Time:

This video is a favorite of mine. It was project of the Actors Fund to support entertainers during the COVID pandemic. Huge collection of incredibly talented people, led by Tony DeSare.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Sunday, December 29, 2024, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written in 1936 by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film Swing Time; the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” Dorothy Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting. It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.

About These Version

I couldn’t decide between these two versions of today’s song, so I’m featuring both of them.

1997

Tony Bennett, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” in 1997 for the soundtrack of My Best Friend’s Wedding. It was included on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, released in 2011 on the Complete Collection box set.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

2015

Tony Bennett, accompanied by Bill Charlap, recorded The Way You Look Tonight” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and co-produced the album with Dae Bennett.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

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Song of the Day: Nobody Else But Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 22, 2024, is “Nobody Else But Me.”

About This Song

“Nobody Else But Me” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1946 Broadway revival of Show Boat, replacing a reprise of “Why Do I Love You?” near the end of Act Two. It was the last song that Jerome Kern wrote; he died shortly before the 1946 production opened. This song has been used in other revivals as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nobody Else But Me” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Nobody Else But Me,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.