The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Let’s Begin

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 31, 2019, is “Let’s Begin.”

About This Song

“Let’s Begin” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 musical Roberta, which also included many other fine Kern songs, including “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “The Touch of Your Hand.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Begin” in 1957 for The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited drummers and percussionists to record songs on this album; for “Let’s Begin,” drummer Art Blakey is featured.

Let’s Begin

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“Let’s Begin,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Saturday, April 6, 2019, is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was originally written by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein and Otto Harbach in 1934 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Won’t Dance” in 2014 for their album Cheek To Cheek and features a great arrangement by Marion Evans.

I Won’t Dance

I Won’t Dance, a song by Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga on Spotify

“I Won’t Dance,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video this Saturday, we have Fred Astaire’s dance to “I Won’t Dance” from the film Roberta.

Fred Astaire – I Won’t Dance, from Roberta

Here’s the full “I Won’t Dance” number from “Roberta.” It starts with Fred playing what earlier in the film he calls “dirty piano.” And how about Ginger in that dress! Wow!

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Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 31, 2017 is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “I Won’t Dance,” with the 1936 lyrics, for their album Cheek to Cheek. Marion Evans did the arrangement.

I Won’t Dance

I Won’t Dance, a song by Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga on Spotify


“I Won’t Dance,” as well as Cheek to Cheek, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today marks the end of our recognition of Lady Gaga as our musical collaborator of the month. Stayed tuned tomorrow for a new person!

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Song of the Day: Let’s Begin

The song of the day for Friday, September 1, 2017 is “Let’s Begin.”

About This Song

“Let’s Begin” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 musical Roberta, which also included many other fine Kern songs, including “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “The Touch of Your Hand.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Begin” in 1957 for his second jazz album: The Beat of My Heart. This album featured percussionists from the world over, with Art Blakey on this recording.

The Beat of My Heart was the first album that Ralph Sharon worked on with Tony Bennett, who related this in The Good Life:

Ralph and I wanted to make a jazz statement in a big way, and I came up with the idea of recording an album of standards that put the spotlight on different kinds of rhythm by using all the great jazz drummers I could find. We talked the concept over during our first few months on the road, and gradually it all came together.

Let’s Begin

Let’s Begin, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“Let’s Begin,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Begin

The song of the day for Thursday, January 14, 2016 is “Let’s Begin.”

About This Song

“Let’s Begin” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta, which also included many other fine Kern songs, including “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “The Touch of Your Hand.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this jazz version of “Let’s Begin” in 1957 for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. The terrific arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Let’s Begin

Let’s Begin, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“Let’s Begin,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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