The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Put On a Happy Face

The song of the day for Monday, July 13, 2026, is “Put On a Happy Face.”

About This Song

“Put On a Happy Face” was written by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams for the 1960 musical Bye, Bye Birdie, based loosely on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army in 1957. Dick Van Dyke introduced the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Put On A Happy Face” on May 6, 1960, with an arrangement by Frank DeVol. It was released as a single in 1960 and was added to Bennett’s 1962 compilation of Broadway songs he recorded between 1953 and 1961: Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Put On A Happy Face” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

We have a video of Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh performing “Put On a Happy Face” from the 1963 film version of Bye, Bye Birdie.

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Sunday, July 5, 2026, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written in 1953 by Robert Wright and George Forrest for the Broadway musical Kismet. The song was based on “Gliding Dance of the Maidens” from the opera Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, written in 1890.

“Stranger in Paradise” was the hugely popular song from Kismet. The popularity of Kismet is due in large part to Tony Bennett. At the time Kismet was preparing to open, New York City was having a massive newspaper strike and publicizing the opening of the musical was nearly impossible. The producers asked Tony Bennett to record “Stranger in Paradise” to help promote the production. His version was a hit and so was Kismet.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” on October 13, 1953, and released that same year as a single; the same recording was used on the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. “Stranger In Paradise” was arranged by Percy Faith.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway” Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.”Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway” Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Just in Time

The song of the day for Sunday, May 3. 2026, is “Just in Time.”

About Today

We are remembering Betty Comden, who was born on, May 3, 1917, in Brooklyn, NY. In 1938, she met Adolph Green in 1938 and they worked together for many years. Though mainly known as lyricists, Comden and Green were equally known as writers for the stage (On the Twentieth Century) and screen (Singin’ in the Rain).

About This Song

“Just in Time” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green, for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing, where it was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin. Holliday and Dean Martin sang it in the 1960 film version of Bells Are Ringing.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just in Time” on your author’s 6th birthday, September 19, 1956, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith. It was released as a single in 1956; the recording was included on Bennett’s 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Just in Time,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

We have “Just in Time” from the original cast album of Bells are Ringing, sung by Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin:

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Song of the Day: Comes Once in a Lifetime

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, is “Comes Once in a Lifetime.”

About This Song

“Comes Once in a Lifetime” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1961 musical Subways Are For Sleeping, based on a true story first reported in Harper’s Magazine about well-dressed homeless people who slept on subways in New York. It was a favorite song of Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Comes Once in a Lifetime” on September 9, 1961, and released it as a single. The recording was used for the 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Comes Once in a Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stranger in Paradise

The song of the day for Monday, October 13, 2025, is “Stranger in Paradise.”

About This Song

“Stranger in Paradise” was written by Robin Wright and George Forrest for the 1953 musical Kismet. The song was based on Alexander Borodin‘s composition Gliding Dance of the Maidens.

At the time Kismet was preparing to open, New York City was having a massive newspaper strike and publicizing the opening of the musical was nearly impossible. The producers asked Tony Bennett to record “Stranger in Paradise” to help promote the production. His version was a hit and so was Kismet.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stranger in Paradise” 72 years ago today on October 13, 1953, featuring an arrangement by Percy Faith. It was released as a single; the same recording was included on Bennett’s 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“Stranger in Paradise,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available on Apple Music.