The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: La Vie en Rose

The song of the day for Thursday, April 23, 2026, is “La Vie En Rose.”

About This Song

“La Vie en Rose” was written in 1945 by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy). The song was made famous by Edith Piaf, who first recorded it in 1946. Mack David wrote the English lyric. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “La Vie En Rose” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting songs recorded by Louis Armstrong. Lee Musiker was the musical director and wrote the musical arrangement; Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangement. Peter Matz conducted and created the orchestration.

“La Vie en Rose,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

A Wonderful World won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.


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“La Vie En Rose,” as well as A Wonderful Word, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Edith Piaf’s 1946 recording:

And here is Louis Armstrong’s 1950 recording:

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Song of the Day: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, is “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was composed in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was first recorded by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra, The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong, with Ella Fitzgerald, recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in March 2002 for Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

We have the 1950 recording of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

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Song of the Day: You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 12, 2025, is “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart.”

About This Song

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” was written in 1931 by James P. Johnson and Flournoy Earkin Miller. Johnson, a pianist and composer who was also known as a Stride pianist, collaborated with author and producer Flournoy Miller to produce the Sugar Hill revue in 1931 for this song. Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” as a duet with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra in 1949 on the Decca label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” in March 2002 for A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were written by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Friday, October 17, 2025, is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave,” or “Vou Te Contar” in the original Portuguese, is a classic bossa nova song by Antonio Carlos Jobim, written in 1967. It’s one of Jobim’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” on August 13, 1970, for Tony Bennett’s “Something”, released 55 years ago on October 17, 1970. Peter Matz wrote the arrangement.

“Wave,” as well as Tony Bennett’s Something, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What a Wonderful World

The song of the day for Monday, August 4, 2025, is “What a Wonderful World.”

About Today

We are celebrating the great Louis Armstrong, who was born 124 years ago on August 4, 1901.

About This Song

“What a Wonderful World” was written in 1967 by Bob Thiele (as George Douglas) and George David Weiss. Written at a time of great political and racial unrest in America, “What A Wonderful World” was a kind, gentle, and positive song that was very well received. Louis Armstrong recorded it first, and it was a big hit for him, selling over a million singles. Even though this song has been recorded by many fine artists, it remains closely identified with Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “What a Wonderful World” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World. Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangements. Lee Musiker was the musical director and wrote the orchestra arrangements. Peter Matz conducted and did the orchestrations.

“What a Wonderful World,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Louis Armstrong’s 1967 recording of “What a Wonderful World.”