The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, May 30, 2026, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 album Look Around, released in 1968. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, his first album upon returning to Columbia Records. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s “So Many Stars” from Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 album Look Around. It was arranged by Dave Grusin; Lani Hall, married to Herb Albert since 1974, is the singer.

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About Today

We are celebrating one of the songwriters of today’s song: Peggy Lee. She was born as Norma Jean Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota, 106 years ago on May 26, 1920. She died in Los Angeles on January 21, 2002, from a heart attack.

Peggy Lee recorded songs such as “Fever,” “Alright, Okay, You Win,” “Why Don’t You Do Right,” and “Is That All There Is?” She began writing songs in the mid-1940, with over 270 songs to her credit, including today’s song, “I Don’t Know Enough About You,” “Then Was Then (And Now Is Now),The Shining Sea,” “I’m Gonna Go Fishin'” (with Duke Ellington), “Cross Country Blues” (with Quincy Jones), and “Goodbye, My Love” (with Victor Young.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman, Peggy Lee, and Bill Schluger. Miss Lee used it as the title song for her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m In Love Again” in July 1995 for Here’s to The Ladies. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. For Here’s to The Ladies, Bennett paid tribute to the great female vocalists of the 20th century, including Peggy Lee and “I’m In Love Again.”

“I’m In Love Again,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Miss Peggy Lee singing her song from, her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

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Song of the Day: Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, is “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)”

About This Song

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1964 West End musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Producer David Merrick saw the production in London and decided to bring it to America, starting first with a nationwide tour. Tony Bennett first recorded the song in 1964 and it was a hit for him; this helped bring attention to the musical and helped ensure its success in the US.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah recorded “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

We have the official Vevo video from their recording session.

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Song of the Day: Moments Like This

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, is “Moments Like This”

About This Song

“Moments Like This” was written by Burton Lane (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for a 1938 movie called College Swing and was introduced by Florence George. Early recordings include those by Maxine Sullivan, Teddy Wilson and Dick Stabile and His Orchestra. Later recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Bobby Short and Michael Feinstein.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Moments Like This” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, Bennett’s first album after he returned to Columbia Records. Jorge Calandrelli wroth the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Moments Like This,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is “Mood Indigo.”

About Today

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, who was born on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Ellington, but Tony Bennett summed it up:

Duke Ellington was a genius. He was unfailingly courteous and generous, but he kept to himself a lot. Who else could understand the depth of what went on inside his brilliant mind?

About This Song

“Mood Indigo” was written in 1930 by Duke Ellington and Barney Bigard, with lyrics by Irving Mills.

Originally titled “Dreamy Blues,” Ellington wrote this song, which is based on a theme by Barney Bigard, who is said to have learned it from his New Orleans clarinet teacher, Lorenzo Tio. Ellington wrote the song specifically for “microphone transmission” and it was first played on a 1930 radio broadcast. Audiences loved the song, and so Irving Mills wrote the lyric, changing the name of the song to “Mood Indigo.” The song has been widely recorded by instrumental and vocal artists, including Tony Bennett, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mood Indigo” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington/Hot and Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Mood Indigo,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington/Hot and Cool, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a nice 1931 recording by Ellington of “Mood Indigo.”