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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 24, 2026 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Sunday, May 24, 2026, is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

“Just One Of Those Things” was written by Cole Porter for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder in “American Popular Song” spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfied, in Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” on October 14, 1957, for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited guest drummers and percussionists to play on the album. Art Blakey was the drummer for “Just One Of Those Things.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Art Blackey, Cole Porter, Jubilee, Ralph Sharon, The Beat of My Heart, Tony Bennett

November 7, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just One of Those Things

The song of the day for Friday, November 7, 2025, is “Just One of Those Things.”

About This Song

“Just One of Those Things” was written by Cole Porter for the 1935 musical Jubilee. During rehearsals, Moss Hart, the librettist, that an additional song was needed, and Porter wrote the song overnight. “Just One of Those Things” has been widely recorded. Significant recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Nat Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One of Those Things” for his 2021 album Love For Sale. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Note that most of the songs on this album are duets with Lady Gaga; however each artist had two solo recordings in addition to the duets. including today’s song.

Love For Sale won the 64th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Just One of Those Things,” as well as Love For Sale, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cole Porter, Jubilee, Love For Sale, Marion Evans, Tony Bennett

June 14, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 15, 2016 is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Just One of Those Things” for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Alec Wilder in “American Popular Song” spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfield, in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” in 1957 for this third album The Beat of My Heart. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Just One Of Those Things

Listen to Just One Of Those Things on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957


“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cole Porter, Jubilee, Ralph Sharon, The Beat of My Heart

June 11, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Begin The Beguine

The song of the day for Saturday, June 11, 2016 is “Begin The Beguine.”

About This Song

One of Cole Porter’s most popular songs, “Begin the Beguine” is from the 1935 musical Jubilee. The song has an unusual structure, having a 108 measure length, as opposed to the standard 32-bar structure of most popular music. One of the earliest popular recordings was Artie Shaw’s instrumental in 1938. The middle eastern style of the song is well-served by Shaw’s clarinet solo.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Begin the Beguine” in 1957, with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon; the recording features drummer Jo Jones. The song was originally omitted from Bennett’s album The Beat of My Heart, but was added to the first CD release.

Begin The Beguine

Listen to Begin The Beguine on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957


“Begin The Beguine,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our first video today is from the movie Broadway Melody of 1940 and features the great Fred Astaire and the great Eleanor Powell dancing to our song of the day.

I was a pretty serious clarinet player in high school and adored both Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. I think Shaw’s recording of “Begin the Beguine” is a real masterpiece, so here’s an extra video today.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jo Jones, Jubilee, Ralph Sharon, The Beat of My Heart

November 12, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 12, 2014 is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Just One of Those Things” for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfield, in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” in 1957 for his third album The Beat of My Heart, which featured jazz drummers and percussionists on each song. This song featured Art Blakey.

About Today

I’ve been in Cole Porter mood for the last few days and The Beat of My Heart was the one album I wanted to listen to today. So there you go.

Just One Of Those Things

Listen to Just One Of Those Things on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957


“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Art Blakey, Cole Porter, Jubilee, The Beat of My Heart

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