The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Saturday, October 31, 2026, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin for the 1941 Broadway musical Lady in the Dark, starring Gertrude Lawrence. The song has had many fine recordings including those by Sarah Vaughan, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, and Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Ship” on April 9, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“My Ship,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

I found this lovely recording of “My Ship” by Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass, from their 1986 album Easy Living.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. The song has become popular with jazz artists. Notable recordings include those by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, and Charles Lloyd.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Speak Low” for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Speak Low,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

I was able to find a recording of Mary Martin and Kenny Baker singing “Speak Low” from One Touch of Venus.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 9, 2026, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical Lost in the Stars, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” at his concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. The resulting album, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962. Ralph Sharon arranged all the songs for the concert and led the orchestra as well. The concert, as well as the album, was a triumph. The original album was released on 4 LP records and only included 28 songs. The 1997 2-CD release contained the full concert.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Never Was You

The song of the day for Monday, April 6, 2026, is “It Never Was You.”

About This Song

“It Never Was You” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, the score of which also included “September Song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Never Was You” 65 years ago on April 6, 1961, for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“It Never Was You,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 10, 2025, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Norah Jones recorded “Speak Low” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Speak Low,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.