The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Friday, March 28, 2025, is “But Beautiful.”

About Today

We are very happy to wish Lady Gaga a wonderful and happy birthday. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in New York City on March 28, 1986. We admire her talent as a singer, songwriter, and actor. We love her for her loving friendship with Tony Bennett, exemplified in she asked Bennett if she could accompany him off the stage at his last concert.

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “But Beautiful” in 2014 for their first album of duets, Cheek To Cheek. Gray Sargent‘s guitar for this recording is exceptional. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“But Beautiful” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video for “But Beautiful.”

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Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 25, 2024, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1937 for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” in 2011 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video of the recording session:

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Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Monday, August 26, 2024, is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

“Anything Goes” was written in 1934 by Cole Porter for the musical Anything Goes. In Anything Goes, Cole Porter and book writers Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse created one ofthe great musical comedy characters of all time: Reno Sweeney, played by Ethel Merman in the original 1934 production. The score contains many of Porter’s most popular songs, including “I Get a Kick Out You,” “You’re The Top,” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Anything Goes” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“Anything Goes,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Face The Music And Dance

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 25, 2024, is “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.”

About This Song

“Let’s Face The Music And Dance” was written by Irving Berlin in 1936 for the film Follow the Fleet with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Astaire – Rogers dance to this song is considered one of their best. It has also been recorded by singers including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. It was arranged by Alex Smith.

“Let’s Face The Music And Dance,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from Follow The Fleet performing “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.”

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Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Saturday, April 27, 2024, is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

“They All Laughed” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire musical Shall We Dance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “They All Laughed” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the very fine arrangement.

“They All Laughed,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

Cheek To Cheek won the 57th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

We’ve got Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “They All Laughed” from Shall We Dance. Ginger even sings the verse!