The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

The song of the day for is “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”

About This Song

“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1928 revue Blackbirds of 1928, produced by Lew Leslie. The song was the first big hit for this songwriting pair. It has been a widely recorded jazz and popular standard, with recordings by Ukulele Ike, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Anita O’Day and many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” in 2014 for their album Cheek to Cheek.

I Can"t Give You Anything But Love

Listen to I Can"t Give You Anything But Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” as well as Cheek to Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me

The song of the day for Friday, June 23, 2017 is “I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me,” was written in 1928 with music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Clarence Gaskill. It was quite popular in 1928 has been recorded by many artists, including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Dean Martin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me” in December 1954 for his first album Cloud 7, released in 1955. The arrangement is by Charles Panely.

Having signed with Columbia Records in 1950, Bennett had turned out a number of hit singles including “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Sing You Sinners,” “Cold, Cold Heart” and “Because of You.” Cloud 7 was the album that he had wanted to make–a solid jazz long-playing album with a solid group of jazz musicians. Jazz critic Thom Jurek said that “The mood is nocturnal, elegant, amorous, hip.” As a first album by a young singer (Bennett was not even 30 when he made Cloud 7), it’s a remarkable album that defined Bennett not only as vastly popular singer, but a jazz artist with impeccable taste and true vision of his own artistry.

I Can"t Believe That You"re In Love with Me

Listen to I Can"t Believe That You"re In Love with Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1955


“I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Friday, April 28, 2017 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. It 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

Today I’m featuring Tony Bennett’s first recording of “On the Sunny Side of the Street” from his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! The swell arrangement is by none other than Marion Evans.

On the Sunny Side of the Street

Listen to On the Sunny Side of the Street on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Monday, April 24, 2017 is “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Today’s song, Can’t Get Out Of This Mood, was recorded in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen!. It features a terrific arrangement by our favorite arranger, Marion Evans.

What Makes It Happen

Listen to What Makes It Happen on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


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

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

The song of the day for Monday, February 13, 2017 is “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields 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 and Willie Nelson recorded “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” in 2011 for Duets II. It was arranged and conducted by our musical collaborator of the month, Marion Evans.

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes to congratulate Willie Nelson, who won the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for his album Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin.

On The Sunny Side Of The Street

Listen to On The Sunny Side Of The Street on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson · 2011


“On The Sunny Side Of The Street,” as well as Duets II, is available from iTunes.

And we have a video as well. Because, well, who can resist Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson? I know I can’t.

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