The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By 1 Comment

Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Saturday, August 22, 2015 is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields. This song was originally written in 1934 for a London musical called Three Sisters with lyrics from Oscar Hammerstein and Otto Harbach, though the show was flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with the new Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded this song for their album Cheek To Cheek. They seem to be having a lot of fun singing this song, artfully arranged by Marion Evans.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett was so excited to hear that Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap are releasing the Jerome Kern album next month. I’ve been humming Jerome Kern songs all day, so it’s only fitting to include one his songs. Today’s song is on the album. I’m also looking forward to hearing the recording of “All The Things You Are,” which Bennett sang at his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert, but has not recorded since. Well, actually, I’m looking forward to the entire album.

And because it’s Saturday, our video today is Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett singing today’s song from their Emmy-nominated special for PBS. And it has showgirls!

I Won"t Dance

Listen to I Won"t Dance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“I Won’t Dance,” as well as , is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Thursday, August 13, 2015 “The Lady’s In Love With You.”

About This Song

“The Lady’s In Love With You” was written by Burton Lane (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for the 1939 film Some Like It Hot (not to be confused with the excellent 1959 Billy Wilder film), where it was introduced by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. It’s been widely recorded, including versions by Tony Bennett, Glenn Miller, Margaret Whiting, and Michael Feinstein.

About This Version

Arranged by Marion Evans, “The Lady’s In Love With You” swings like nobody’s business. It starts big and doesn’t let up for a second. Bobby Tricarico on tenor sax is just terrific.

The Lady"s In Love with You

Listen to The Lady"s In Love with You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“The Lady’s In Love With You,” as well as , is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 12, 2015 is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer wrote “Out Of This World” in 1944 for the movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version in 1967 for his album For Once In My Life. The arrangement is by Marion Evans. It’s a terrific song.

Out Of This World

Listen to Out Of This World on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Out Of This World,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 11, 2015 is “On The Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for Lew Leslie’s International Revue. The song was one of the first in a series of upbeat 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 first recorded On The Sunny Side of the Street” in 1967 for Tony Makes It Happen!, arranged by Marion Evans. More recently, he sang this song as a duet with Willie Nelson on Duets II, also arranged by Marion Evans.

About Today

I’m more than happy to continue to feature the arrangements of Marion Evans. I am an unabashed fan of the his work and love to hear Tony Bennett sing his arrangements. Fortunately, there are a lot of them to choose from!

On the Sunny Side of the Street

Listen to On the Sunny Side of the Street on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Monday, August 10, 2015 is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington originally wrote this song in 1940 as an instrumental named “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 has recorded this song several times, including his duet with Michael Bublé on Duets II. This version, arranged by Marion Evans, is his first: from 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen!

About Today

Happy to report that at long last I’m starting to feel like myself after a couple of rough months. It’s great to be back!

Don"t Get Around Much Anymore

Listen to Don"t Get Around Much Anymore on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


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