The song of the day for Sunday, December 29, 2024, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”
About This Song
“The Way You Look Tonight” was written in 1936 by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film Swing Time; the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” Dorothy Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting. It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.
About These Version
I couldn’t decide between these two versions of today’s song, so I’m featuring both of them.
1997
Tony Bennett, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” in 1997 for the soundtrack of My Best Friend’s Wedding. It was included on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, released in 2011 on the Complete Collection box set.
“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.
2015
Tony Bennett, accompanied by Bill Charlap, recorded The Way You Look Tonight” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and co-produced the album with Dae Bennett.
“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.
The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.