The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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:

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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.”

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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.

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

The song of the day for Monday, July 21, 2025, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” was written by Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live On The Hill

The song of the day for Saturday, July 12, 2025, is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett honors Oscar Hammerstein on the anniversary of his birth 130 years ago on July 12, 1985. In addition his work as a lyricist for Jerome Kern (with whom he wrote today’s song) and Richard Rodgers, he was also a theatre director and producer. He was was a mentor to the teen-age Stephen Sondheim.

About This Song

“The Folks That Live On The Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love, conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live On The Hill” on May 18, 1989, for <em>Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.