The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All In Fun

The song of the day for Monday, December 8, 2025, is “All In Fun.”

About This Song

“All In Fun” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 Broadway musical Very Warm For May. Though the show was not well-reviewed, the score contained some wonderful songs including this one and “All The Things You Are.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All In Fun” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement; Johnny Mandel conducted the orchestra.

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“All In Fun,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live on the Hill

The song of the day for Thursday, November 27, 2025, is “The Folks That Live on the Hill.”

About This Song

“The Folks That Live on the Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live on the Hill” on May 18, 1989, for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Folks That Live on the Hill ,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Old Fashioned

The song of the day for Saturday, November 8, 2025, is “I’m Old Fashioned.”

About This Song

“I’m Old Fashioned” was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Astaire recorded the song first, in 1942 with John Scott Trotter and his orchestra. Other significant recordings include those by Blossom Dearie, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, John Coltrane, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “I’m Old Fashioned” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and led his trio on piano. The trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“I’m Old Fashioned,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred AStaire and Rita Hayworth performing “I’m Old Fashioned” from You Were Never Lovelier.

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Song of the Day: Yesterdays

The song of the day for Sunday, October 26, 2025, is “Yesterdays.”

About This Song

“Yesterdays” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Roberta was made into a film in 1935. The Kern-Harbach score for Roberta also included “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Let’s Begin,” which Tony Bennett recorded in 1957 for his third album, The Beat of My Heart.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterdays” on February 26, 1964; it was released in 1966 on A Time For Love. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Yesterdays,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to wish Bill Charlap a very happy birthday. Bill Charlap was born on October 15, 1966, in New York City. His father, Moose Charlap, was a noted Broadway composer; his mother is Sandy Stewart, a jazz and cabaret performer. The Bill Charlap Trio has released many fine albums, including Bill Charlap & Sandy Stewart: Love Is Here To Stay and Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein, which I am listening to as I write today’s post.

For more information about Bill Charlap, The Bill Charlap Trio, his recordings, and his live performances, visit his website billcharlap.com.

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written 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 This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by Bill Charlap, recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” in 2015 for <The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Charlap wrote the arrangement.

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

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