The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Saturday, July 4, 2026, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written in 1979 by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams. The song was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. in addition to the recordings by Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn, Stan Getz, Marian McPartland, Dianne Reeves, and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. It was arranged and conducted by the composer, Johnny Mandel.

“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

The Art of Romance won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album award at the 48th annual Grammy Awards.

We are pleased to include Miss Peggy Lee’s recording of “Close Enough For Love.”

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 1, 2026, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end. Peggy Lee recorded the song for her 1967 album Extra Special!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement. The recording features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

I’m pleased to include Miss Peggy Lee’s recording of her song, arranged by Johnny Mandel:

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About Today

We are celebrating one of the songwriters of today’s song: Peggy Lee. She was born as Norma Jean Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota, 106 years ago on May 26, 1920. She died in Los Angeles on January 21, 2002, from a heart attack.

Peggy Lee recorded songs such as “Fever,” “Alright, Okay, You Win,” “Why Don’t You Do Right,” and “Is That All There Is?” She began writing songs in the mid-1940, with over 270 songs to her credit, including today’s song, “I Don’t Know Enough About You,” “Then Was Then (And Now Is Now),The Shining Sea,” “I’m Gonna Go Fishin'” (with Duke Ellington), “Cross Country Blues” (with Quincy Jones), and “Goodbye, My Love” (with Victor Young.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman, Peggy Lee, and Bill Schluger. Miss Lee used it as the title song for her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m In Love Again” in July 1995 for Here’s to The Ladies. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. For Here’s to The Ladies, Bennett paid tribute to the great female vocalists of the 20th century, including Peggy Lee and “I’m In Love Again.”

“I’m In Love Again,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Miss Peggy Lee singing her song from, her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then and Now Is Now

The song of the day for Sunday, April 19, 2026, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About Today

Sixty-one years ago on April 19, 1965, Columbia Records released one of most favorite Tony Bennett albums, If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set.

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee. Lee released it on an album of the same name in 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now Is Now” on February 18, 1965, for If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

And here is Miss Peggy Lee singing her own song on Then Was Then (and Now Is Now).

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Friday, October 24, 2025, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written by Cy Coleman, and Peggy Lee. This is one of the several songs that Peggy Lee wrote with Cy Coleman. Miss Lee used as the title song for her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m In Love Again” in July 1995 for his album honoring the great women singers of the 20th century: Here’s To The Ladies, which was released 30 years ago on October 24, 1995. This song honors Miss Peggy Lee, who wrote the lyrics for the song. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’m In Love Again,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Peggy Lee’s 1964 recording of “I’m In Love Again” from her album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!