The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All In Fun

The song of the day for Monday, November 20, 2017 is “All In Fun.”

About This Song

“All in Fun” was written in 1939 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the Broadway musical Very Warm For May. Though the show was not well-reviewed, the score contained some wonderful songs including this one and “All The Things You Are.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All In Fun” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. The arrangement is by Lee Musiker.

This is the album that, overnight, turned me from a Tony Bennett fan into the Tony Bennett enthusiast I am today. For the first couple of months after this album was released, I listened to it every day and some days two or three times. It’s the album I buy for friends who I want to introduce to Tony Bennett. Bennett’s in wonderful voice for this album; that and the combination of the remarkable arc of songs that take the listener through all of the stages of a romance in 11 songs is, well, perfect.

Did I mention that I really like this album? I’m also mad about the album cover as well.

On yeah … it also won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album.

All In Fun

Listen to All In Fun on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“All In Fun,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Monday, November 6, 2017 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. Even though Fields’ lyrics for the song are very fine, the early recordings of the song were mostly instrumentals, such as that by Louis Armstrong. 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 2002 for their album dedicated to songs associated with Louis Armstrong: A Wonderful World. The musical director was Lee Musiker and Peter Matz conducted the orchestra.

Exactly Like You

Listen to Exactly Like You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“Exactly Like You,” as well as Exactly Like You, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Little Did I Dream

The song of the day for Sunday, February 5, 2017 is “Little Did I Dream.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Little Did I Dream,” was written in 2003, with music by Johnny Mandel and lyrics by Dave Frishberg. I really don’t know anything else about this song, other that I love the work of both Mandel and Frishberg.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Little Did I Dream” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance and features an arrangement by Lee Musiker. This is one of my favorite albums and the one I gift to my friends that I want to introduce to Tony Bennett. It seems to hook them every time.

Little Did I Dream

Listen to Little Did I Dream on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Little Did I Dream,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

Today is the tenth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
The song of the day for Friday, December 23, 2016 is “Silver Bells.”

About This Song

“Silver Bells” was written in 1950 by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Lyricist Ray Evans says that the song was originally called “Tinkle Bells.” That is, until composer Jay Livingston told his wife about the new song and she reminded him that the word ‘tinkle’ had a another meaning and so it was changed to “Silver Bells.” It was first recorded in 1950 by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards and was also used in the 1951 movie The Lemon Drop Kid with Bob Hope, who performed the song with Marilyn Maxwell.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Silver Bells” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. The song was arranged by Lee Musiker.

Silver Bells (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Silver Bells (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“Silver Bells,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: O Christmas Tree

Today is the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
The song of the day for Wednesday, December 21, 2016 is “O Christmas Tree.”

About This Song

Also known as “O Tannenbaum,” this song is based on a 16th century German folk song. Originally, the lyric was not specifically about Christmas, but about the “evergreen” qualities of the fir tree and dealt with faithful love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “O Christmas Tree” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. This version was arranged and accompanied by Lee Musiker.

O Christmas Tree (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to O Christmas Tree (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“O Christmas Tree,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.