The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Thursday, April 24, 2025, is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

“Crazy She Calls Me” was written by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell (originally titled “Crazy He Calls Me) in 1949. In addition to Billie Holiday’s recording of this song, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1949 recording of “Crazy He Calls Me.”

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Song of the Day: Blue Velvet

The song of the day for Friday, April 11, 2025, is “Blue Velvet.”

About This Song

“Blue Velvet” was written in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Blue Velvet” was the first recording of the song and was one of his early hits for Columbia.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Blue Velvet” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Blue Velvet,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Thursday, April 3, 2025, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

In 1942, Paul Whiteman and his band came to the newly formed Capitol Records for a recording session, to include a new composition by Trummy Young and Jimmy Munday, who were both at the session. Young also brought his girlfriend, Billie Holiday, to the session. Mercer quickly wrote lyrics for the song so Holiday could record it. As she was under contract with Columbia Records at that time, she was credited as Lady Day for the recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, which was released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday , is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the original 1942 recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Friday, March 28, 2025, is “But Beautiful.”

About Today

We are very happy to wish Lady Gaga a wonderful and happy birthday. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in New York City on March 28, 1986. We admire her talent as a singer, songwriter, and actor. We love her for her loving friendship with Tony Bennett, exemplified in she asked Bennett if she could accompany him off the stage at his last concert.

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “But Beautiful” in 2014 for their first album of duets, Cheek To Cheek. Gray Sargent‘s guitar for this recording is exceptional. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“But Beautiful” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video for “But Beautiful.”

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Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, who was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, TN. She won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Rolling Stone magazine named her the greatest singer of all time twice.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the movie Best Friends, starring Burt Lancaster and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli arranged and conducted the recording.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

We have two videos today.

First is the official video with Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin for today’s song. Keep an eye on Tony Bennett at 4:19–a single tear as they are finishing the song. I had the privilege of seeing him live many times and seeing how tuned in he was to his emotions when he sang. There will never be anyone as great as Tony Bennett.

Second is her appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors to honor Carol King by singing “Natural Woman.” This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. Keep an eye out 2:56 into the video and watch the entire audience go crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t think I ever will.