The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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.

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Song of the Day : Day In, Day Out

The song of the day for Monday, March 31, 2025, is “Day In, Day Out.”

About This Song

“Day In, Day Out” was written by Rube Bloom and Johnny Mercer in 1939. The tune itself is also rather unusual at 56 measures long. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder notes that “the melodic line soared and moved across the page like a lovely brush stroke. And it had, remarkable for any pop song, passion.” It has been recorded by many of the finest vocalists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Margaret Whiting.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day In, Day Out” in June 1992 for Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led the trio that accompanied Bennett for this album, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Day In, Day Out,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Thought About You

The song of the day for Monday, March 24, 2025, is “I Thought About You.”

About This Song

“I Thought About You” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer in 1939. In his biography Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer, author Gene Lees quotes Mercer about this song: ‘I can remember the afternoon that we wrote it. He [Van Heusen] played me the melody. I didn’t have any idea, but I had to go to Chicago that night. I think I was on the Benny Goodman program. And I got to thinking about it on the train. I was awake, I couldn’t sleep. The tune was running through my mind, and that’s when I wrote the song. On the train, really going to Chicago.’ “I Thought About You” proved quite popular and has been recorded many times by jazz performers including Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hartman, Shirley Horn, Dinah Washington, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Thought About You” in June 1922 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank.
For this album, Bennett was accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“I Thought About You,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Frank Sinatra recorded “I Thought About You” for his 1956 album Songs for Swingin’ Lovers.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 5, 2025, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists, including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, and Anita O’Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. He was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s recording from 1947:

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 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. Harold 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.” 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 album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by 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 album Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon, who led the Ralph Sharon Trio that accompanied Bennett for Perfectly Frank, featuring 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.

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

Yip Harburg spoke about “Last Night When We Were Young” on his 1979 appearance on They Write The Songs:

E.Y Yip Harburg Television Special 1979

Wizard Of Oz lyricist did this wonderful one hour show in 1979, where he talked about his years at MGM and of course Judy Garland, This is several clips I edited together in which she was mentioned! I make no cliam to copyright! just a video from my personal collection!