The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Saturday, November 25, 2023, is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1928 by Neil Moret and Richard Whiting. This charming song is sung from the point of view of the young lover who is kind of amazed that the woman he loves seems to love him, in spite of his faults.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Funny That Way” on January 18, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Monday, October 23, 2023, 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 his album Tony Makes It Happen!. Marion Evans arranged and conducted the orchestra for this album.

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

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 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 in 1930 for 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 his album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans arranged the entire album and conducted the orchestra.

“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: Cheek to Cheek

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, is “Cheek to Cheek.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “Cheek To Cheek” for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where it was introduced (beautifully) by Fred Astaire. Though the song was nominated for an Academy Award (it lost to “Lullaby Of Broadway”), it became a hit in 1935 and has remained popular to this day. Significant recordings include those by Harry James, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Bing Crosby, and many, many more. Fans of the Tom Hanks movie The Green Mile might remember this song, as Top Hat is viewed in the prison. For many, it is one of the very first songs that comes to mind when one thinks of Fred Astaire and the 1930s Hollywood musical.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Cheek to Cheek” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. It was arranged by the great Marion Evans.

“Cheek to Cheek,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available on Apple Music.

And here’s Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from Top Hat:

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 13, 2023, is “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.”

About This Song

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” was written by Jimmy McHugh (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) 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 his album Tony Makes It Happen! The entire album was arranged by the great Marion Evans, who also conducted the orchestra.

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

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