The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: A Shine In Your Shoes

The song of the day for Saturday, June 13, 2026, is “A Shine In Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine In Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which consisted of songs that Fred Astaire introduced. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“A Shine In Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Fred Astaire performed “A Shine On Your Shoes” in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon. Astaire insisting on using a genuine shoe shiner for the number and Leroy Daniels, who sang and danced while he did shoeshines and worked just by the gates at MGM, was cast.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 31, 2024, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which consists of songs associated with Frank Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

For The Band Wagon, Astaire wanted to dance with a real bootblack. They found the real thing in Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man working in downtown Los Angeles. Here’s the dance from 1953’s The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Friday, October 6, 2023, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Diets for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

When Fred Astaire was filming The Band Wagon, he wanted to use an authentic bootblack for “A Shine On Your Shoes.” He hit the jackpot when they found Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man who worked in downtown Los Angeles.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Saturday, December 31, 2022, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

This clip of “A Shine on My Shoes” from The Band Wagon with Fred Astaire is a favorite number of mine. Astaire wanted a genuine shoeshine man for the number and found Leroy Daniels, who had a stand at Sixth and Main Street in Los Angeles. Turned out he was also an excellent dancer. To get business and set himself apart, Daniels had an old jukebox stocked with jazz records and performed and danced while giving shoeshines.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 7, 2020, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” for his 1993 album Steppin’ Out, which features songs sung (and danced) by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon arranged the song.

Steppin’ Out won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

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“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

And now Fred Astaire!

“For the “Shine on My Shoes” number, Fred Astaire wanted to dance with the bootblack. They found the real thing in Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man working in downtown Los Angeles. ReelRundown has an excellent story about Leroy Daniels.