The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, August 4, 2024, is “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart.”

About This Song

“You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” was written in 1931 by James P. Johnson and Flournoy Earkin Miller for the 1931 revue Sugar Hill. Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” as a duet with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra in 1949 on the Decca label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” in March 2002 for their duet album, A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recording of today’s song from 1949:

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Song of the Day: If We Never Meet Again

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 2, 2024, is “If We Never Meet Again.”

About This Song

“If We Never Meet Again” was written in 1936 by Louis Armstrong and Horace Gerlach. Armstrong released the first recording of the song in September 1936. Other significant recordings include those by Freddy Cole, Bobby Hackett, Keely Smith, The Ken Peplowski Quintet, and Tony Bennett with k.d. lang.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If We Never Meet Again” March 2002 for their album of Louis Armstrong songs, A Wonderful World.

A Wonderful World won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“If We Never Meet Again,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the original Louis Armstrong recording:

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Song of the Day: Moonglow

The song of the day for Friday, April 12, 2024, is “Moonglow.”

About Today

Thirty years ago today, April 12, 1994, Tony Bennett appeared live on MTV Unplugged. The performance was a huge hit in the ratings as was the album released later that year.

About This Song

“Moonglow” was written in 1933 by Will Hudson and Irving Mills, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange. It’s been a popular song since it was written. The first recordings were by Joe Venuti and His Orchestra, Ethel Waters, and The Benny Goodman Orchestra. Later recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Artie Shaw.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Moonglow” live on April 12, 1994. It was the first time Tony Bennett and k.d. lang performed together. The MTV Unplugged album was released in June of that year. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

“Moonglow,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

MTV Unplugged won the 1994 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Tradition Pop Performance.

Here’s the video of their performance.

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1930 for Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” While the reviewers were not kind to the production, the score was then, and remains still, quite noteworthy. Louis Armstrong recorded the song in May 1930. The song became popular again in 1936, with a fine recording by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959) and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2022 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong. Rob Mathes and Lee Musicker wrote the arrangement.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Louis Armstrong recorded “Exactly Like You” on May 4, 1930. Here’s that recording:

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 11, 2024, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” One of the early recordings was by Louis Armstrong, followed by a fine recording in 1936 by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959), and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album of songs associated with Louis Armstrong, A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.