The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: More Than You Know

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, is “More Than You Know.”

About This Song

“More Than You Know” was written by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu, for the 1929 musical Great Day, which only ran for 36 performances. In spite of its poor run on Broadway, the score was considered very good, and so it got sold to Hollywood, where it was to be a starring vehicle for Joan Crawford. Eight weeks into production, the film was shut down and was never released. Thankfully, this song remained popular, in many ways thanks to Fanny Brice, who was married to Billy Rose, and sang the song in her performances with the Ziegfeld Follies. It has been widely recorded by jazz and popular artists since it was written.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “More Than You Know” on April 4, 1961, for My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band.

“More Than You Know,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: In a Mellow Tone

The song of the day for Friday, August 8, 2025, is “In a Mellow Tone.”

About This Song

“In a Mellow Tone” was written by Duke Ellington and Milt Gabler in 1939. The tune was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, and Annie Ross. The first recording of “In a Mellow Tone” was in 1940 and featured solos by Jimmy Blanchet, Cootie Williams, and Johnny Hodges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In a Mellow Tone” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“In a Mellow Tone,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that 1940 recording of “In a Mellow Tone.”

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Song of the Day: Young and Foolish

The song of the day for Friday, July 25, 2025, is “Young and Foolish.”

About This Song

“Young and Foolish” was written by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt for the 1955 musical Plain and Fancy, about a New York couple who travel to Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to sell a piece of property and become involved with and learn from the community.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Young and Foolish” on April 23, 1963, for his album This is All I Ask. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Young and Foolish,” as well as This is All I Ask, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: True Blue Lou

The song of the day for July 23, 2025, is “True Blue Lou.”

About This Song

“True Blue Lou” was written by Richard Whiting, with lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin, for the 1929 musical film The Dance of Life, an adaptation of the Broadway play Burlesque. The song was sung in the film by Hal Skelly, in the role of an out-of-work burlesque comedian. “True Blue Lou” was a standard song for Ethel Waters, who sang it throughout her career. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, Frank Sinatra also recorded it in the 1950s.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “True Blue Lou” on April 24, 1963, for his album This Is All I Ask, which was released 62 years ago today on July 23, 1963. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted The Ralph Sharon Trio.

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

Here’s the Ethel Waters 1929 recording of “True Blue Lou.”

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Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for Sunday, June 29, 2025, is “Smile.”

About Today

We remember Ralph Burns, who wrote the arrangement for today’s song. He was born in Massachusetts on June 29, 1922. Burns arranged and conducted two albums for Tony Bennett: Hometown, My Town in 1959 and My Heart Sings in 1961. He also wrote the big band arrangements for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool in 1999, two years before his death. In addition to arranging, he was a jazz pianist and a notable film composer.

About This Song

“Smile” was written by Charlie Chaplin in 1936 for his last silent film, Modern Times, which shows Chaplin and his costar Paulette Goddard, walking hand-in-hand up the road as the sun sets and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed. The lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons were added in 1954.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” on June 24, 1959, and was released as a single that year. The recording was also included on his 1962 album I Left My heart In San Francisco. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Smile,” as well as the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that legendary scene from Modern Times.