The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It’s Like Reaching For the Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, October 19, 2025, is “It’s Like Reaching For the Moon.”

About This Song

“It’s Like Reaching For the Moon” was written in 1936 by Al Sherman, Al Lewis, and Gerald Marquesee. This song was first recorded by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra in 1936 and was a hit for her. The song has also been recorded by Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbara Carroll.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s Like Reaching For the Moon” in May 1989 for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“It’s Like Reaching For the Moon,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sentimental Journey

The song of the day for Saturday, October 4, 2025, is “Sentimental Journey.”

About This Song

“Sentimental Journey” was written by Les Brown, Ben Homer, and Bud Green in 1944. Les Brown and His Band of Renown had been performing the song, but were unable to record it due to the 1942-1944 musician’s strike. Once the strike had ended, Les Brown recorded the song, featuring Doris Day as vocalist. The recording was a hit, resulting in Doris Day’s first #1 hit.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sentimental Journey” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, which honored the great women singers of the 20th century. The song is in tribute to Doris Day, who first recorded 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 Performance.

“Sentimental Journey,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1944 recording of “Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown and His Band of Renown, featuring Doris Day.

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

The song of the day for Saturday, September 20, 2025, 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 British 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. Around that time, Tony Bennett made a recording, which 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, which was released 14 years ago today on September 20, 2011. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Sunday, September 14, 2025, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett honors the late Amy Winehouse, who was born on September 14, 1983.

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green, with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that “Body and Soul” “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.”

Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body Soul” at Abbey Road Studios (London) in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

This was Amy’s last recording. She died on July 23, 2011.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.
“Body and Soul” won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Duo Performance.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video of Tony and Amy recording “Body and Soul.”

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Song of the Day: Daybreak

The song of the day for Friday, August 29, 2025, is “Daybreak.”

About This Song

The music for “Daybreak” was written in 1926 by Ferde Grofé and Harold Adamson. The song “Daybreak” was part of a classical suite of songs by Ferde Grofé called Mississippi Suite, composed in 1925. In 1942, lyricist Harold Adamson took the theme from the final movement and wrote lyrics for it, resulting in the song “Daybreak.” The first recording of “Daybreak” was in 1942 by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with Frank Sinatra on vocals. Dinah Washington recorded “Daybreak” for her album I Concentrate On You, released in 1960.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Daybreak” in July 1995 for his tribute to the great women singers of the 20th century: Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Dinah Washington. 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.

“Daybreak,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Dinah Washington’s 1960 recording of “Daybreak.”