The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’m Confessin’ That I Love You

The song of the day for Friday, March 23, 2018 is “I’m Confessin’ That I Love You.”

About This Song

Today’s song, ” I’m Confessin’ That I Love You,” was written in 1930 by Doc Dougherty, Ellis Reynolds and Al J. Neiburg, This song has a somewhat odd start. It was first known as “Lookin’ for Another Sweetie,” with lyrics credited to Chris Smith and Sterling Grant, and was recorded by Fats Waller in 1929. Al Neiburg wrote the new lyrics and the song was recast in 1930 with its current title. Louis Armstrong made the first recording of it in 1930, and in spite of many other recordings, it remained strongly identified with Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.dl lang recorded “I’m Confessin’ That I Love You” in 2002 for their album Tony Bennett and k.d. lang: A Wonderful World, which feature songs associated with Louis Armstrong. The arrangement was written by Lee Musiker and Peter Matz.

In addition to Tony Bennett and k.d. lang: A Wonderful World, k.d. lang appeared on Playin’ With My Friends, MTV Unplugged and both Duets albums.

I"m Confessin" (That I Love You)

Listen to I"m Confessin" (That I Love You) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“I’m Confessin’ That I Love You,” as well as Tony Bennett and k.d. lang: A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The New York Times had a very fine interview with k.d. lang at her loft in Portland, Oregon (your author’s home town). Check out our topic Constant Craving for the article.

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Constant Craving

Today’s New York Times had a lovely interview with k.d. lang, who is currently touring with the re-release of Ingenue on its 25th anniversary. This was the album where she showed us all what a versatile singer she is.

K.D. Lang Doesn’t Have to Indulge Your Constant Cravings

The album, which she wrote with Ben Mink, then her collaborator, was specifically made, as Mr. Mink pointed out recently, to be timeless, with nods to George Gershwin and Kurt Weill, European klezmer music and a dash of contemporary “MOR” (middle of the road) pop.

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Song of the Day: If We Never Meet Again

The song of the day for Thursday, November 30, 2017 is “If We Never Meet Again.”

About This Song

“If We Never Meet Again” was written in 1936 by Louis Armstrong, with lyrics by Horace Gerlach.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “If We Never Meet Again” in 2002 for their album A Wonderful World.

If We Never Meet Again

Listen to If We Never Meet Again on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“If We Never Meet Again,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

I’m also including a recording of Armstrong performing his song, from 1936:

If We Never Meet Again

Listen to If We Never Meet Again on Spotify. Song · Louis Armstrong · 2017

About Today

I hope you have all enjoyed this month’s tribute to k.d. lang, a favorite duets partner of Tony Bennett. It’s been a joy for me to listen to her and Tony sing these wonderful songs.

As for December, I’ll be celebrating, as I have every year, The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas. Just 25 shopping days until Christmas.

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

The song of the day for Monday, November 27, 2017 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. Johnson, a pianist and composer, also known as a Harlem Stride pianist, collaborated with author and producer Flournoy Miller to produce the Sugar Hill revue in 1931 for this song. 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 2002 for their album A Wonderful World.

You Can"t Lose A Broken Heart

Listen to You Can"t Lose A Broken Heart on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Because of You

The song of the day for Saturday, November 25, 2017 is “Because of You.”

About This Song

“Because of You” was written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein (Oscar’s uncle) and Dudley Wilkinson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Because of You” in 2006 for Duets: An American Classic. It’s a really lovely recording.

“Because of You,” originally recorded in 1951, was Bennett’s big break-out hit; the recording reached number one on the Billboard pop chart for 32 weeks–10 of those weeks were at #1. It was Tony Bennett’s first huge hit and made him a star.

Because of You

Listen to Because of You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2006


“Because of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our Saturday video this week is Tony and k.d. lang sitting with Phil Ramone, who produced Duets: An American Classic, talking about the song and capturing parts of the recording session.