The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

The song of the day for Saturday, May 9, 2026, is “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea”

About This Song

“Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1931 for the Cotton Club production RhythMania. It was recorded in the first few years by Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. The Benny Goodman recording, with vocals by Helen Ward, is also well-regarded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” on September 4, 1964, for Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Louis Armstrong’s 1932 recording of today’s song:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: La Vie en Rose

The song of the day for Thursday, April 23, 2026, is “La Vie En Rose.”

About This Song

“La Vie en Rose” was written in 1945 by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy). The song was made famous by Edith Piaf, who first recorded it in 1946. Mack David wrote the English lyric. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “La Vie En Rose” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting songs recorded by Louis Armstrong. Lee Musiker was the musical director and wrote the musical arrangement; Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangement. Peter Matz conducted and created the orchestration.

“La Vie en Rose,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

A Wonderful World won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.


.
“La Vie En Rose,” as well as A Wonderful Word, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Edith Piaf’s 1946 recording:

And here is Louis Armstrong’s 1950 recording:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, is “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was composed in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was first recorded by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra, The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong, with Ella Fitzgerald, recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in March 2002 for Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

We have the 1950 recording of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Can Depend on Me

The song of the day for Friday. November 21, 2025, is “You Can Depend on Me.”

About This Song

“You Can Depend on Me” was written in 1931 by Charles Carpenter, Louis Dunlap, and Earl “Fatha” Hines. The first recording was by Louis Armstrong in 1931. Other recordings include those by Nat “King” Cole and Brenda Lee.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Can Depend on Me” on September 11, 1956, for his second album, Tony, released in 1957.

There was some controversy regarding credits for the arrangements on Tony. Bennett wrote in his autobiography The Good Life:

All the guys—Marion [Evans], Gil [Evans], Neal [Hefti], Don [Costa]—did a tremendous job on the orchestrations for Tony, but you’d never know it from reading the front or back cover of that album. At that time Columbia was heavily pushing Ray Conniff. He was going to be the new Percy Faith, their next big name in instrumental pop music. Ray conducted the sessions, and he did a good job, but it burned me up that none of the others received any credit on the cover. Over the next few months I was embarrassed when I ran into them. They’d always ask me why they didn’t get credit. I felt terrible about it.

“You Can Depend on Me,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1931 recording of “You Can Depend on Me” by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra.

Armstrong recorded “You Can Depend on Me” again in 1951, live at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, released on Satchmo At Pasadena, which has Armstrong singing vocals.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: What a Wonderful World

The song of the day for Monday, August 4, 2025, is “What a Wonderful World.”

About Today

We are celebrating the great Louis Armstrong, who was born 124 years ago on August 4, 1901.

About This Song

“What a Wonderful World” was written in 1967 by Bob Thiele (as George Douglas) and George David Weiss. Written at a time of great political and racial unrest in America, “What A Wonderful World” was a kind, gentle, and positive song that was very well received. Louis Armstrong recorded it first, and it was a big hit for him, selling over a million singles. Even though this song has been recorded by many fine artists, it remains closely identified with Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “What a Wonderful World” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World. Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangements. Lee Musiker was the musical director and wrote the orchestra arrangements. Peter Matz conducted and did the orchestrations.

“What a Wonderful World,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Louis Armstrong’s 1967 recording of “What a Wonderful World.”