The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Thursday, October 15, 2026, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Bill Charlap a very happy birthday. He was born in New York on October 15, 1966. His father, Moose Charlap, was a noted Broadway composer; his mother, Sandy Stewart, a singer. You can learn more about Mr. Charlap at his website Bill Charlap.

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 Fred Astaire film Swing Time. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for 1936. Dorothy Fields said this about “The Way You Look Tonight.”

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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version “The Way You Look Tonight” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. For this song, Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charlap on piano, with no other instruments. Charlap produced the album and wrote the arrangements.

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

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

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Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Saturday, October 3, 2026, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields in 1936 for the Fred Astaire movie Swing Time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” for his 1915 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Accompanying Bennett is The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. Bill Charlap also produced the album and wrote the arrangements.

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

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

We’re pleased to include this clip from Swing Time of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to “Pick Yourself Up.”

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Song of the Day: Look For The Silver Lining

The song of the day for is “Look For The Silver Lining.”

About This Song

“Look For The Silver Lining” was written by Jerome Kern and Buddy DeSylva for the unsuccessful musical Zip, Goes a Million. They used it again the next year for Sally, where it sung by Marilyn Miller and gained popularity. Significant recordings include those by Susannah McCorkle and Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Look For The Silver Lining” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, accompanied by Bill Charlap, who wrote the arrangement and produced the album.

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

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

I found this charming 1920 recording of “Look For The Silver Lining” by Marion Harris.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Thursday, August 13, 2026, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it one of Kern’s finest songs, and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “All The Things You Are” live on June 9, 1962, at Carnegie Hall. A 2-LP recording of the concert, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Yesterdays

The song of the day for Friday, July 17, 2026, is “Yesterdays.”

About This Song

“Yesterdays” was written for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta, with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Otto Harbach. The song was introduced by Irene Dunne. The cast of the Broadway production also featured Bob Hope, George Murphy, Sidney Greenstreet and Fred MacMurray. One of Kern’s best outings, Roberta also introduced “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Let’s Begin.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett’s version of “Yesterdays” is from the 1966 album A Time To Love., though this recording is from 1964. It has a wonderful arrangement by Ralph Sharon and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

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