The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: They Didn’t Believe Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, is “They Didn’t Believe Me.”

About This Song

“They Didn’t Believe Me” was written by Jerome Kern and Herbert Reynolds for the 1914 musical The Girl From Utah. The song became a standard, including it being reused in the 1949 movie The Midnight Kiss, in a duet with Mario Lanza and Kathryn Grayson. It has been widely recorded by singers, including Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Bing Crosby. Instrumental recordings include those by Marian McPartland, Charlie Parker, and Stan Kenton.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “They Didn’t Believe Me” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and led his trio (Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on bass). He also co-produced the album.

I want to do a shout-out to Peter Washington: his bass on this recording is brilliant.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“They Didn’t Believe Me,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Sunday, January 25, 2026, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Week

Today is the first day of Jerome Kern Week, who was born in New York City on January 27, 1885.

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 film Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was used in the early part of the film where Astaire pretends to not be able to dance and asks for Ginger Rogers as his dance instructor just so he could dance with her. This song has been widely recorded, including those by Nat King Cole, Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and led The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums).

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got two videos for today’s post.

First is a clip from Swing Time, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to “Pick Yourself Up.”

Next is the “Pick Yourself Up – All-Star Jazz Collab for the Actors Fund,” which was created during COVID pandemic to help performers while the performing venues were closed and prevented them from working.

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Song of the Day: My One And Only

The song of the day for Sunday, December 7, 2025, is “My One And Only.”

About This Song

“My One And Only” was composed in 1927 by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin for the musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire, Betty Compton, and Gertrude McDonald. The original title was “(What Am I Gonna Do) If You Turn Me Down.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “My One And Only” in 2018 for their album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and led The Charlap Trio (Charlap on piano), Peter Washington (bass), and Kenny Washington (bass).

“My One And Only,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Old Fashioned

The song of the day for Saturday, November 8, 2025, is “I’m Old Fashioned.”

About This Song

“I’m Old Fashioned” was written by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Astaire recorded the song first, in 1942 with John Scott Trotter and his orchestra. Other significant recordings include those by Blossom Dearie, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, John Coltrane, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “I’m Old Fashioned” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement and led his trio on piano. The trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“I’m Old Fashioned,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred AStaire and Rita Hayworth performing “I’m Old Fashioned” from You Were Never Lovelier.

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Song of the Day: Love Is Here To Stay

The song of the day for Friday, September 26, 2025, is “Love Is Here To Stay.”

About Today

We are celebrating one of America’s greatest songwriters: George Gershwin. He was born in New York City 127 years ago on September 26, 1898, and died in 1937 from a brain tumor. In his too short life, he was incredibly prolific. In addition to the songs he wrote with his brother Ira for state and screen, he created American classics including “Rhapsody in Blue,” “An American in Paris,”Concerto in F, and Porgy and Bess.

About This Song

“Love Is Here To Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1938 The Goldwyn Follies movie, which was released after George Gershwin’s death. It’s also known as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” but the published title of the song omits the “Our.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Love Is Here To Stay” in 2018 for their album of Gershwin songs, Love Is Here To Stay. The Bill Charlap Trio (Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums) accompanied Bennett and Krall. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Love Is Here To Stay,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.