The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought of You

The song of the day for Thursday, June 18, 2020, is “The Very Thought of You.”

About Today

Today we would like to wish Sir Paul McCartney a very happy birthday!

About This Song

“The Very Thought of You” was written in 1934 by bandleader Ray Nobel. This ballad has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney recorded “The Very Thought of You” in 2006 for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli did the arrangement.

“The Very Thought of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available from Apple Music.

Tony and Sir Paul made this video, which I am pleased to share.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

The playlist of the week starting June 16, 0219, is Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1.

Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

This playlist contains some of Tony early duets with male singers.

Let the Good Times Roll, with B.B. King, from Playin’ With My Friends

New York State of Mind, with Billy Joel, from Playin’ With My Friends

Cold, Cold Heart, with Tim McGraw, from Duets: An American Classic

Everyday I Have The Blues, with Stevie Wonder, from Playin’ With My Friends

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, with Sting, from Duets: An American Classic

The Shadow of Your Smile, with Juanes, from Duets: An American Classic

The Very Thought of You, with Paul McCartney, from Duets: An American Classic

I Wanna Be Around, with Bono, from Duets: An American Classic

Evenin’, with Ray Charles, from Playin’ With My Friends

Rags to Riches, with Elton John, from Duets: An American Classic

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought of You

The song of the day for Saturday, June 2, 2018 is “The Very Thought of You.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Very Thought of You,” written by the British composer and band leader Ray Noble, has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae and Nat King

About This Version

Tony Bennett’ first recording of “The Very Thought of You” was made in 1965 and features Buddy Hackett on cornet. It was released in 1966 for the album A Time For Love. John Keating wrote the arrangement.

The Very Thought Of You

Listen to The Very Thought Of You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1966.


“The Very Thought of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our Saturday video this week features Sir Paul McCartney’s and Tony Bennett’s recording of “The Very Thought of You” for the 2005 album Duets: An American Classic.

Tony Bennett - The Very Thought of You (Duets: The Making Of An American Classic)

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought Of You

The song of the day for Saturday, November 29, 2014 is “The Very Thought of You.”

About This Song

This ballad by the British composer and band leader Ray Noble has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Very Thought Of You” in 1966 for his album A Time For Love. The sweet cornet you hear is none other than Bobby Hackett. The arrangement is by Johnny Keating. This is Bennett’s only solo recording of this song. But, as I’ve said before, how do you improve on perfection? This recording never fails to transport me from the daily hum-drum of life to a beautiful place filled with memories, hopes and dreams.

About Today

Tony Bennett recorded “The Very Thought Of You” with Paul McCartney for Duets: An American Classic. Because it’s Saturday, The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to include this video.

The Very Thought Of You

Listen to The Very Thought Of You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1966.


“The Very Thought Of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

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Please Consider Raising Your Voice Against Violence

You may know that Tony Bennett and his son Danny have partnered with the Brady Campaign to start a grassroots campaign called Voices Against Violence to contact our representatives in Congress to ask them to pass common-sense guns laws to keep our communities safe.

Since the launch of this campaign on the Piers Morgan show on CNN last week, nearly 10,000 calls have been made. Today, Paul McCartney has lent his voice to Voices Against Violence, joining other celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Gloria Estefan, Josh Groban, kd lang, Mia Farrow, Juanes and many more.

To participate, text MYVOICE to 877877. You’ll be asked to provide your zip code and then you’ll hear Tony or Paul McCartney thank you for your support and you’ll be automatically connected to a senator from your state.

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