The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Monday, July 12, 2021, is “All The Things You Are.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is honoring Oscar Hammerstein II, who was born in New York City on July 12, 1895. Hammerstein is well-known for his collaborations with Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers. He is also known for being a mentor to Stephen Sondheim, who was friend to one of Hammerstein’s sons.

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All The Things You Are” for his 2015 with Bill Charlap, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Previously, Bennett performed the song at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall.

All The Things You Are

Listen to All The Things You Are on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2015.

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 12, 2017 is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

I fell in love with this song, sung by this singer, the very first time I heard it and those feelings have never diminished. Tony Bennett sang “All The Things You Are” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, recorded on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, with a very nice arrangement by Ralph Sharon.

All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Folks That Live On The Hill

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 25, 2017 is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Folks That Live on the Hill,” was written in 1937 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II for the movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live on the Hill” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist (one of this author’s favorite of Bennett’s albums).

The Folks That Live On The Hill

Listen to The Folks That Live On The Hill on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1990.


“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Sunday, January 1, 2017 is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett’s first recorded performance of “All The Things You Are” was at his legendary 1962 Carnegie Hall concert. Today’s version is his most recent, from the 2015 album with Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern.

All The Things You Are

Listen to All The Things You Are on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2015.


“All The Things You Are” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: A Kiss To Build A Dream On

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 15, 2016 is “A Kiss To Build A Dream On.”

About This Song

“A Kiss To Build a Dream On” was written in 1935 by Bert Kalmer, Harry Ruby and Oscar Hammerstein II. Louis Armstrong recorded the song in 1951 and it immediately became his song. The song was also performed by Armstrong in the 1951 movie The Strip, which was also sung by Mickey Rooney, William Demarest and other members of the cast.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “A Kiss To Build a Dream On” in 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, which consisted of songs sung by the great Louis Armstrong.

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Listen to A Kiss to Build a Dream On on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2002.


“A Kiss To Build A Dream On,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites