The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Friday, January, 16, 2026, is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

“Anything Goes” was written by Cole Porter in 1934. In Anything Goes, Cole Porter and book writers Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse created one of the great musical comedy characters of all time: Reno Sweeney, played by Ethel Merman in the original 1934 production. The score contains many of Porter’s most popular songs, including “I Get a Kick Out You,” “You’re The Top,” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Anything Goes” in 2014 for their first album: Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“Anything Goes,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

We have a video Ethel Merman singing “Anything Goes” from the 1936 movie Anything Goes.

Miss Merman was born Queens 118 years ago on January 16, 1908.

We also have a live video of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga singing “Anything Goes.”

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Song of the Day: Can’t Get Out Of This Mood

The song of the day for Friday, January 9, 2026, is “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.”

About This Song

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” was composed by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Frank Loesser for the 1942 wartime musical, Seven Day’s Leave. This torch song was introduced in the movie by Ginny Simms, with the Freddy Martin Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” on January 12, 1967, for Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the band.

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Saturday, December 27, 2025, is “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” was written by Cole Porter is 1936 for the musical film Born to Dance. Significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra (with the Nelson Riddle arrangement), Diana Krall, Peggy Lee, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” for their 2021 album Love For Sale. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Love For Sale won the 64th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

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

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Song of the Day: Country Girl

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 26, 2025, is “Country Girl.”

About This Song

“Country Girl” was written by the Canadian-born composer, conductor, arranger and trumpet player Robert Farnon. Farnon composed both light classical and popular music, as well as film and television scores. Robert Farnon worked with Tony Bennett on several albums, including the wonderful 1968 Snowfall.

The song was based on the William Wordsworth poem “The Solitary Reaper.” “Country Girl” was written in 1966 for the Eurovision Song Contest; it came in third. All I can say is that those other two songs must have been phenomenal, because “Country Girl” is one of the most beautiful and touching songs that I have ever heard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Country Girl” 59 years ago on November 26, 1966, for Tony Makes It Happen, released in 1967. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted.

“Country Girl,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen, is available on Apple Music.

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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.