The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)

The song of the day for Monday, March 2, 2026, is “The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On).”

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927. In his book The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia, Thomas Hischak calls this song “an Irving Berlin standard whose title has been called the theme of all popular music, a chilling number in which both the lover and the ballad that was ‘their song’ is gone; yet neither can be forgotten because they remain in one’s memory.” This song was recorded in 1927 by Ruth Etting and has remained popular over the years with recordings by Dick Haymes, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeri Southern, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” in May 1987 for Bennett/Berlin. Bennett, who did the arrangement, used The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon, piano; Paul Langosch, bass; Joe LaBarbera, drums), along with several guest artists. Dizzy Gillespie played trumpet on this recording.

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On),” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Thursday, February 19, 2026 is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade. Early recordings include Cab Calloway and Frank; Sinatra with the Dorsey Brothers (when they were still talking to each other). Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” in June 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and lead his trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums).

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoors gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” in May 1987 for the album Bennett/Berlin. Accompanying Bennett was the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums).

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” from Top Hat.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Thursday, January 1, 2026, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch. on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Shaking the Blues Away

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 19, 2025, is “Shaking the Blues Away.”

About This Song

“Shaking the Blues Away” was written by Irving Berlin for The Zeigfeld Follies of 1927. It was introduced by Ruth Etting, who was making her first appearance in the Follies. Berlin pulled it out of the trunk for the 1948 film Easter Parade, where it was a dance number for Ann Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Shaking the Blues Away” in May 1987 for Bennett/Berlin, a tribute to Irving Berlin. He was accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums).

“Shaking the Blues Away,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ruth Etting’s 1927 recording of “Shaking the Blues Away.” I must admit that the original lyrics upset me quite a bit. I’m very glad that Tony Bennett chose to make some changes to the racist lyrics.