The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 27, 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. Whiting’s daughter, Margaret Whiting, stated that the lyric started as a poem her father wrote about their mother, Eleanor Whiting. Significant recordings include those by Ted Lewis, Thelma Carpenter, Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday, who recorded it in 1953.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Funny That Way” in June 1966 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

Here’s Holiday’s 1953 recording:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Cloudy Morning

The song of the day for Saturday, August 23, 2025, is “Cloudy Morning.”

About This Song

“Cloudy Morning” was written by Marvin Fisher (son of Fred Fisher and brother to Doris Fisher) and Joseph McCarthy, Jr. in 1958. This song has been recorded by several vocalists, including Julie London, Peggy Lee, and Carmen McRae.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cloudy Morning” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, which honored the great female vocalists of the 20th century. Carman McRae was honored for her recordings of “Cloudy Morning.” Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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

Here’s Carman McRae’s 1964 recording of Cloudy Morning.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Monday, August 18, 2025, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow for the 1934 movie Belle of the Nineties, starring Mae West. Mae West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang that song for the film.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his tribute to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett on Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday , is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “My Old Flame” in 1944:

Here’s the 1934 recording from Belle of the Nineties, with Mae West and Duke Ellington:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Thursday, August 7, 2025, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1944 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Composer Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” Fisher was also a talented singer and performer. Other songs of hers include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.” Billie Holiday made the first recording of “That Ole Devil Called Love” in 1945.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1945 recording of “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Saturday 2, 2025, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1939 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington (though it seems certain that it was written completely by Strayhorn), with lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1940 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano; the song was written for Johnny Hodges. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” in May 1999 for his album in tribute to Duke Ellington, Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The album was released on Ellington’s centenary birthday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Day Dream,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

The original 1940 recording seems to have been lost. However, Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn made this recording of “Day Dream” in 1961 for their album Johnny Hodges with Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra, which Strayhorn conducted.