The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Why Do People Fall In Love

The song of the day for Thursday, November 13, 2025, is “Why Do People Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“Why Do People Fall In Love” was written in 1985 by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Lambert and Potter were a successful songwriting team. in the 1970s and 1980s. They wrote and produced songs for groups including the Four Tops, Dusty Springfield, Santana, Hall and Oates, and Glenn Campbell. Their work with Campbell resulted in a major hit song, “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Why Do People Fall In Love” on January 11, 1986, for The Art of Excellence, his first album with Columbia Records after he returned to the label. Jorge Calandrelli conducted the orchestra and wrote the arrangement, which includes a snippet of “People” from the musical “Funny Girl,” written by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.

“Why Do People Fall In Love,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 43, 2025, is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1928 by Neil Moret and Richard Whiting. The song first appeared in the short film Gems of MGM, released in 1931. Billie Holiday recorded the song in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Funny That Way” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. which was released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1937 recording (sung as “He’s Funny That Way”):

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Song of the Day: Because Of You

The song of the day for Sunday, November 2, 2025, is “Because Of You.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to honor k.d. lang on her birthday, November 2. She sang with Tony Bennett on Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged, A Wonderful World, Playin’ With My Friends, Duets: An American Classic, and Duets II.

About This Song

“Because Of You” was written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson. Tony Bennett first recorded it in 1951 and it was a major hit.

Bennett tells this story about that 1951 recording:

By the spring of 1951, I was told that if I didn’t get a hit soon, I’d be dropped from the label. I went into Percy’s [Percy Faith] office and he said, “In this next session you really have to deliver. We have three songs ready, so we need another song.” I remember that he looked through a bunch of sheet music on his desk, grabbed a song, and said, “Well, let’s do this one.” That song was ‘Because of You.’ I was doing a lot of dramatic singing on my early records, but Percy said to me, “Just relax. Use your natural voice and sing the song.” I took his advice.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Because Of You” on February 10, 2006 for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Because Of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

Duets: An American Classic won the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

On the Sunday after Tony Bennett died on July 21, 2023, k.d. lang sang “Because Of You” as a tribute to him on CBS Sunday Morning.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Monday, October 27, 2025, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the movie The Road To Rio, where it was introduced by Bing Crosby. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, 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 album Cheek To Cheek. The guitar work from Gray Sragent is especially fine on this recording. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Cheek To Cheek won the 57th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

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

We have the official video for this recording from Cheek To Cheek:

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Friday, October 24, 2025, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written by Cy Coleman, and Peggy Lee. This is one of the several songs that Peggy Lee wrote with Cy Coleman. Miss Lee used 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 his album honoring the great women singers of the 20th century: Here’s To The Ladies, which was released 30 years ago on October 24, 1995. This song honors Miss Peggy Lee, who wrote the lyrics for the song. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

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

Here’s Peggy Lee’s 1964 recording of “I’m In Love Again” from her album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!