The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble)

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 11, 2026, is “Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble).”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble)” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva, for the musical Big Boy. Al Jolson made the first recording of his song; the song was also recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese, and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble)” on April 22, 1963, for the album This Is All I Ask. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble),” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available on Apple Music.

We are happy to have found Al Jolson’s 1924 recording of today’s song, which he recorded prior to the opening of Big Boy.

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Song of the Day: Georgia Rose

The song of the day for Monday, July 27, 2026, is “Georgia Rose.”

About This Song

“Georgia Rose” was composed by Harry Rosenthal, with lyrics by Alex Sullivan and Irving Kaufman, for the 1921 musical revue Put and Take.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Georgia Rose” on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Georgia Rose,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, July 26, 2026, is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written in 1960 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. While the song is strongly associated with Tony Bennett, other fine recordings in those by Nat ‘King’ Cole, Lena Horne, and Shirley Horn.

About This Version

Toby Bennett recorded “Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

Lena Horne, a good friend of Tony Bennett, recorded “Rules of the Road” in 1962 for her album Lena On The Blue Side.

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Song of the Day: This Is All I Ask

The song of the day for Saturday, July 18, 2026, is “This Is All I Ask.”

About This Song

Gordon Jenkins wrote “This Is All I Ask” in 1958. Jenkins was a prolific composer, arranger and conductor from the 1930s through the 1960s. He worked closely with artists including Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland and won a Grammy Award for Sinatra’s 1965 album September of My Years, which included a recording of “This Is All I Ask.” Jenkins is said to have considered this song his favorite of all the songs he wrote.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Is All I Ask” on April 26, 1963, for his album This Is All I Ask. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“This Is All I Ask” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available on Apple Music.

I found this video of Tony Bennett singing “This Is All I Ask” from 2000. It seems to have been shot by an audience member, so it’s not professional. But the audio is very good and the close-ups of him singing made me cry.

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Song of the Day: Close Your Eyes

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written in 1933 by Bernice Petkere. Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Close Your Eyes” on April 5, 1961, for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the entire album.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.