The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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, March 4, 2023, 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 by Irving Mills. This song was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the excellent arrangement. It features Joe Lovano on tenor sax and George Rabbi on trumpet.

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

Here’s the original Duke Ellington recording, with vocals by Ivie Anderson:

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Thursday, March 2, 2023, is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was written in 1934 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein and Otto Harbach, for a London musical called Three Sisters, though the show was a 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, which are now ubiquitous.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Won’t Dance” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek. Marion Evans wrote the very fine arrangement.

“I Won’t Dance,” as well as Cheek To Cheek is available on Apple Music.

Speaking of dancing, here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “I Won’t Dance” from the 1935 movie Roberta:

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 21, 2023, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields and was introduced in 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 and Willie Nelson recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” in 2011 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Tony and Willie Nelson video for the recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Monday, February 20, 2023, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” in 2011 for the album Duets II. It was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the recording for “The Lady is a Tramp” with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett:

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Song of the Day: A Beautiful Friendship

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 5, 2022, is “A Beautiful Friendship.”

About This Song

“A Beautiful Friendship” was written in 1956 by the songs of two great American songwriters. The composer, Donald Kahn, was the son of lyricist Gus Kahn and the lyricist, Stanley Styne, was the son of composer Jule Styne. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording, “A Beautiful Friendship” has been recorded by Duke Ellington and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Beautiful Friendship” on January 27, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen! It was arranged by Marion Evans.

“A Beautiful Friendship,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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