The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

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:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: If We Never Meet Again

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 2, 2024, is “If We Never Meet Again.”

About This Song

“If We Never Meet Again” was written in 1936 by Louis Armstrong and Horace Gerlach. Armstrong released the first recording of the song in September 1936. Other significant recordings include those by Freddy Cole, Bobby Hackett, Keely Smith, The Ken Peplowski Quintet, and Tony Bennett with k.d. lang.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If We Never Meet Again” March 2002 for their album of Louis Armstrong songs, A Wonderful World.

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

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

Here’s the original Louis Armstrong recording:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 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. Louis Armstrong recorded the song in May 1930. 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 March 2022 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong. Rob Mathes and Lee Musicker wrote the arrangement.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Louis Armstrong recorded “Exactly Like You” on May 4, 1930. Here’s that recording:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: What a Wonderful World

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 7, 2023, is “What a Wonderful World.”

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, including Tony Bennett, 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.

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

Here’s Armstrong’s recording of “A Wonderful World.”