The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Song of the Day: If We Never Meet Again

The song of the day for Thursday, February 13, 2025, is “If We Never Meet Again.”

About This Song

“If We Never Meet Again” was written in 1936 by Louis Armstrong and Horace Gerlach. Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra recorded the first release of the song on April 19, 1936.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “If We Never Meet Again” in March 2002 for their album 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.

“If We Never Meet Again,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The song of the day for Monday, September 16, 2024, is “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was written in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was first recorded in 1931 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 first 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 their album 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.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that Louis Armstrong recording: