The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 9, 2020, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” with Count Basie and His Orchestra in December 1959; it was released the following year on the album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 9, 2019, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written in 1940 by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter. It was written for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” with Count Basie and His Orchestra for their 1959 album In Person!.

Taking A Chance On Love

Taking A Chance On Love, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 8, 2017 is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was composed by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, in 1940 for the musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett had already recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” in 1956 for his album Tony before he and Count Basie decided to record it in 1958 for In Person! Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

Taking A Chance On Love

Taking A Chance On Love, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

As a special treat, here is the wonderful Ethel Waters singing this song with Eddie Anderson from the film version of Cabin in the Sky. The featured dancer is none other than Bill Bailey. Enjoy!

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Saturday, January 11, 2014 is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter. The song was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded this song for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. However, I prefer this version from 1958 In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra. This version was also used on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.


“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as the album In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra, is available from iTunes.

And as it’s YouTube Saturday, I have two videos for you.

The first is Tony Bennett singing today’s song:

And here is Miss Ethel Waters from Cabin in the Sky:

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