The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Tuesday, may 20, 2025, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1927 Broadway musical Show Boat. The song is sung in Act One by Gaylord Ravenal and Magnolia Hawks (daughter of Cap’n Andy, owner of the show boat).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charlap, who also produced the album.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 14, 2025, is “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”

About This Song

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” was written in 1940 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. The song was used in the 1941 film Lady Be Good, where it was sung by Ann Sothern; the song won the Academy Award for best song that year. the song also inspired the 1954 film of the same name, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson. Significant recordings include those by Kate Smith, Bud Powell, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, and Connie Francis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes, recorded “The Last Time I Saw Paris” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap, who produced the album, wrote the arrangement.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Song Is You

The song of the day for Sunday, April 27, 2025, is “The Song Is You.”

About This Song

“The Song Is You” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1932 musical Music In The Air. It has been widely recorded and is associated with Frank Sinatra, who recorded it with Tommy Dorsey.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes, recorded “The Song Is You” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap, who produced the album, wrote the arrangement.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“The Song Is You,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Favorite Things

The song of the day for Thursday, November 28, 2024, is “My Favorite Things.”

About This Song

“My Favorite Things” was written in 1959 by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein for the Broadway musical The Sound of Music. In the Broadway production, the song was introduced by Mary Martin and sung in the office of the Mother Abbess before Maria leaves to become governess for the von Trapp family. In the film, where it was sung by Julie Andrews, the song was moved to a scene with the children, when there is a storm and Maria sings the song to the children so that they won’t be too

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Favorite Things” on October 1, 1968, for the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. The album was arranged and conducted by Richard Farnon.

“My Favorite Things,” as well as Snowfall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Nobody Else But Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 22, 2024, is “Nobody Else But Me.”

About This Song

“Nobody Else But Me” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1946 Broadway revival of Show Boat, replacing a reprise of “Why Do I Love You?” near the end of Act Two. It was the last song that Jerome Kern wrote; he died shortly before the 1946 production opened. This song has been used in other revivals as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nobody Else But Me” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Nobody Else But Me,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.