The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Pennies From Heaven

The song of the day for Sunday, March 23, 2024, is “Pennies From Heaven.”

About This Song

“Pennies From Heaven” was written in 1936 by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke. The song was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 film of the same name. It’s one of the classic Great Depression songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Pennies From Heaven” on December 30, 1958, for the 1959 album In Person! It was originally planned to be a live album and was recorded on November 28, 1958, at the Latin Casino in Philadelphia. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used, so the entire album was re-recorded at the CBS 30th Street Studio.

“Pennies From Heaven,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Friday, March 14, 2025, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others. The song was a favorite of your author when she was a small child. I actually remember singing it loudly at the breakfast table one morning.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his children’s album, The Playground. Bennett was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Quartet, featuring Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosh on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, February 20, 2025, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke in 1939. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” on February 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. In addition to Sharon on piano, were Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Here’s That Rainy Day

The song of the day for Sunday, October 20, 2024, is “Here’s That Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“Here’s That Rainy Day” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1953 Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders, which only ran for six performances. This song, however, is quite good and has remained a popular ballad over the years. In addition to Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by those such as Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Lawrence, Billy Eckstine, and Ann Hampton Calloway. The song has also proved a favorite of jazz instrumentalists, including Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, and Art Pepper, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Here’s That Rainy Day” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, which was released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Here’s That Rainy Day,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Friday, August 2, 2024, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.