The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Dat Dere

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, is “Dat Dere.”

About This Song

“Dat Dere” was written in 1960 by Bobby Timmons, with lyrics by Oscar Brown, Jr. The song is popular as both an instrument and vocal jazz number. Significant recordings include those by pianist Bobby Timmons, Cannonball Adderly, and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Ricki Lee Jones recorded a nice vocal interpretation in 1991,

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dat Dere” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground, which was released 28 years ago today on September 29, 1998. Bobby Tucker, who played piano for both Billie Holiday and Billy Eckstine, was the musical consultant for the album. The Ralph Sharon Quintet accompanied Bennett on The Playground, featuring Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“Dat Dere,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a wonderful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 for his tribute to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements and led his trio (Sharon: piano, Paul Langosch (bass), and Joe LaBarbera: drums).

Perfectly Frank won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Frank Sinatra recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” for In The Wee Small Hours, released in 1955. Nelson Riddle wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended

The song of the day for Monday, August 10, 2026, is “The Song Is Ended.”

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927. Berlin references Ira Gershswin’s lyric from “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” with ‘the song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote, the melody lingers on.” Ruth Etting, Nelly Lutcher, and Whispering Jack Smith all made excellent recordings of the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended” for his 1987 album Bennett/Berlin; Dizzy Gillespie is the featured trumpet player for the song. Bennett was backed by The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“The Song Is Ended,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ruth Etting‘s 1928 recording of “The Song Is Ended.”

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Song of the Day: In A Mellow Tone

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, is “In A Mellow Tone.”

About This Song

“In A Mellow Tone” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Milt Gabler. It was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, and Annie Ross.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Mellow Tone” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The recording gives everyone in the quartet a chance to shine: Ralph Sharon, piano; Gray Sargent, guitar; Paul Langosch, bass; and Clayton Cameron, drums.

“In A Mellow Tone,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Ellington’s 1958 instrumental recording of today’s song, from his album Blues In Orbit. Featured musicians include Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, and Sam Woodyard.

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)

The song of the day for Monday, March 2, 2026, is “The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On).”

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927. In his book The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia, Thomas Hischak calls this song “an Irving Berlin standard whose title has been called the theme of all popular music, a chilling number in which both the lover and the ballad that was ‘their song’ is gone; yet neither can be forgotten because they remain in one’s memory.” This song was recorded in 1927 by Ruth Etting and has remained popular over the years with recordings by Dick Haymes, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeri Southern, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” in May 1987 for Bennett/Berlin. Bennett, who did the arrangement, used The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon, piano; Paul Langosch, bass; Joe LaBarbera, drums), along with several guest artists. Dizzy Gillespie played trumpet on this recording.

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On),” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.