The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Sunday, September 13, 2026, is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

“They All Laughed” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 movie Shall We Dance, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “They All Laughed” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement,

“They All Laughed,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, here’s the scene with Astaire and Rogers in Shall We Dance, where “They All Laughed” was introduced.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, September 5, 2026, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” on January 18, 1967, for Tony Makes It Happen!. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Saturday, April 15, 2026, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics inspired by Bubber Miley. Miley played trumpet for Ellington’s orchestra and “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got thing” was his credo. Miley was quite ill with tuberculosis and died the year that the song was released. Irving Mills is credited for the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as  Cheek to Cheek , is available on Apple Music.

Duke Ellington, with Ivie Anderson on vocals, made the first recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” on February 2, 1932. This recording was inducted in 2008 to the Grammy Hall Of Fame.

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Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Friday, May 1, 2026, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue. The song was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” on January 27, 1967, for Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the band.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington. Originally written as an instrumental, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Bob Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” on January 27, 1967, for Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.