The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Get a Kick Out of You

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 26, 2021, is “I Get a Kick Out of You.”

About This Song

“I Get a Kick Out of You” was written for Porter’s 1934 musical Anything Goes, where it was introduced by Ethel Merman. It’s been popular since then and has been recorded by artists including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Anita O’Day, Max Roach, and many more. The original lyrics reference the use of cocaine (I get no kick from cocaine), and that particular line in the lyric is often rewritten, often to champagne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Get a Kick Out of You” for their 2021 album Love For Sale. The arrangement is by Marion Evans, who conducted the big band. They are also accompanied by The Tony Bennett Quartet.

“I Get a Kick Out of You,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: So In Love

The song of the day for Monday, October 18, 2021, is “So In Love.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “So In Love” for his 1948 for his Broadway musical Kiss Me Kate, where it was introduced by Patricia Morison, who played the role of Kate. This song has been widely recorded, by artists including Julie Andrews, Chick Corea, Placido Domingo, Eddie Fisher, Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So In Love” for his 2021 album with Lady Gaga, Love For Sale. Bennett is accompanied by his quartet and the orchestra. His quartet is comprised of Tom Ranier on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Marshall Wood on bass, and Harold Jones on drums. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

So In Love

Listen to So In Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2021

“So In Love,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Let’s Do It

The song of the day for Thursday, October 14, 2021, is “Let’s Do It.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Let’s Do It” in 1928 for his first Broadway musical, Paris. It’s one of Porter’s list songs, a form that he excelled at. The song has been widely recorded, starting in 1929 with the Dorsey Brothers and Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees and steadily throughout the 92 years since it was written.

About This Version

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Do It” for their 2021 album Love For Sale, accompanied by The Brian Newman Quintet. I adore this recording, mainly because the first time I’ve ever heard the verse sung and Lady Gaga knocks the verse out of the park!

Let"s Do It

Listen to Let"s Do It on Spotify. Song · Lady Gaga · 2021

“Let’s Do It,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got You Under My Skin

The song of the day for Monday, October 11, 2021, is “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” in 1936 for the film musical Born To Dance, where it was introduced by Virginia Bruce. The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost to “The Way You Look Tonight.” This song has been recorded many times since it was written. Of particular note are the 1956 Frank Sinatra recording on Songs for Swinging Lovers! and Diana Krall’s live recording in Live In Paris, released in 2002.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” for their 2021 album of Cole Porter songs, Love For Sale. Friend of this blog, Marion Evans, wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band. Evans’ first album with Tony Bennett was in 1967 for Tony Makes It Happen!

I"ve Got You Under My Skin

No Description

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It’s De-Lovely

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 6, 2021, is “It’s De-Lovely.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “It’s De-Lovely” in 1936 for the musical Red, Hot and Blue, where it was introduced by Ethel Merman and Bob Hope. It was also used in the 1956 film version of Anything Goes, where it was sung by Donald O’Connor and Mitzi Gaynor. The song has been used in recent revivals of Anything Goes.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “It’s De-Lovely” for their 2021 album Love For Sale, with The Brian Newman Quintet. Daniel Foose, a member of that quintet, did the rhythm arrangement.

It"s De-Lovely

Listen to It"s De-Lovely on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2021

“It’s De-Lovely,” as well as Love For Sale is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites