The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Thursday, May 15, 2025, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams in 1979. The song was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album with the same name. It is a favorite of jazz and popular vocalists; in addition to Peggy Lee’s and Tony Bennett’s recordings, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

The Art of Romance won the 48th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

I love Shirley Horn‘s recording of this song, so please enjoy.

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Song of the Day: Gone With the Wind

The song of the day for Friday, April 25, 2025, is “Gone With the Wind.”

About This Song

“Gone With the Wind” was written in 1937 by Allie Wrubel and Herb Magidson. Alec Wilder notes in American Popular Song about “these exceptional songs from competent but unexceptional writers fascinate and plague me. For if they could write one sensitive, inventive, exceptional song, why not more?” Wrubel and Magidson may be lost to songwriting history, save this rather wonderful song with its timeless feel.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Gone With the Wind” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Gone With the Wind,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Sunday, April 13, 2025, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement.

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Awawrd for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

I first fell in love with this song when I heard it on a Nancy Lamott album, in case you’d like to listen.

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Song of the Day: I Remember You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 9, 2025, is “I Remember You.”

About This Song

“I Remember You” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer in 1941 for the movie The Fleet’s In (directed by the composer Schertzinger), where it was introduced by Dorothy Lamour. Schertzinger died from a heart attack prior to the 1942 release of The Fleet’s In. It is said that Mercer wrote the lyric for Judy Garland, with whom he was said to be in love. The song has been widely recorded over the decades and remains popular today. Notable recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Remember You” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel was the musical director for The Art of Excellence and conducted and wrote the arrangements.

“I Remember You,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shadow of Your Smile

The song of the day for Friday, January 31, 2025, is “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

About Today

We’re featuring the release of Tony Bennett’s favorite of his albums, The Movie Song Album, which was released on January 31, 1966.

About This Song

“The Shadow of Your Smile” was written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster for the 1965 film The Sandpiper, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. It was filmed, beautifully, in Big Sur on the California coastline. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. To this day, Tony Bennett sings this song in his concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shadow of Your Smile” on September 26, 1965, for The Movie Song Album. It was arranged and conducted by Johnny Mandel and featured Jimmy Rowles on piano.

“The Shadow of Your Smile,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.