The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: On The Sunny Side Of The Street

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 11, 2023, is “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.”

About This Song

“On The Sunny Side Of The Street” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1930 for Lew Leslie’s International Revue. The song was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” on January 27, 1967, for his album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans arranged the entire album and conducted the orchestra.

“On The Sunny Side Of The Street,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Can’t Get Out Of This Mood

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 13, 2023, is “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.”

About This Song

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” was written by Jimmy McHugh (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for the 1942 wartime musical, Seven Day’s Leave. This torch song was introduced in the movie by Ginny Simms, with the Freddy Martin Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” on January 12, 1967, for his album Tony Makes It Happen! The entire album was arranged by the great Marion Evans, who also conducted the orchestra.

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Sunday, April 30, 2023, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About Today

We are happy to celebrate the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson! Happy birthday!

About This Song

“On The Sunny Side of the Street” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields and was introduced in Lew Leslie’s International Revue. The song was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” with Willie Nelson in 2011 for Duets II. It was arranged by Marion Evans.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video they made for Duets II.

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Thursday, March 2, 2023, is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was written in 1934 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein and Otto Harbach, for a London musical called Three Sisters, though the show was a flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with the new Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields lyrics, which are now ubiquitous.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Won’t Dance” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the very fine arrangement.

“I Won’t Dance,” as well as Cheek To Cheek is available on Apple Music.

Speaking of dancing, here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “I Won’t Dance” from the 1935 movie Roberta:

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Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 21, 2023, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields and was introduced in Lew Leslie’s International Revue. The song was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” in 2011 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Tony and Willie Nelson video for the recording of today’s song:

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