The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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.

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Song of the Day: September Song

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 3, 2025, is “September Song.”

About This Song

“September Song” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, which opened in 1938, starring Walter Huston. Huston had requested to have a solo song in the production, and so Weill and Anderson wrote “September Song” with careful attention to Huston’s limited singing skills. In spite of a limited range, the poignant quality of the lyrics and the charming tune make for a quite pleasant song that has found great popularity among singers, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Lou Reed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “September Song” on November 11, 1959, for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“September Song,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 6, 2025, 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. The musical was based on Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton (I was assigned to read this book as a ninth grader in Birmingham, Alabama, during the 1960s; somehow, I doubt this book is being assigned to many students in Alabama these days). The book and the musical were set in South Africa during the height of apartheid. 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” on December 22, 1958, for the album In Person!, released in 1959, and recorded with Count Basie and His Band. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lost in the Stars” as well as In Person is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Sunday, March 2, 2025, is “Speak Low.”

About Today

We are remembering the composer of today’s song, Kurt Weill. Weill was born in Germany on March 2, 1950. While living in Germany, he worked with Bertold Brecht on The Threepenny Opera, including its famous song, “Mack The Knife.” Weill, who was Jewish, fled Germany in 1933. With his wife, Lotte Lenya, he moved to New York in 1935 and continued writing for films and the stage. His American works include One Touch Of Venus, Lost in the Stars, and Knickerbocker Holiday. Weill died in 1950 from a heart attack.

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and poet 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 recorded “Speak Low” on March 28, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums, accompanied Bennett on this album.

“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.