The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Monday, April 20, 2026, is “It Had To Be You.”

About Today

Today’s song is from Bennett’s album When Lights Are Low, which was released 64 years ago on April 20, 1964. It’s a fine album made with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums) and a jazz-oriented selection of songs.

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. This popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards, and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several fiLms, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” on March 24, 1964, for When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where or When

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, is “Where or When.”

About This Song

“Where or When” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. Benny Goodman recorded “Where or When” in 1941 with a very young Peggy Lee. It is a favorite song of many vocalists and has had many fine recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Ralph Sharon on, piano, recorded “Where or When” on October 28, 1959, for the album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

“Where or When,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Soon It’s Gonna Rain

The song of the day for Sunday, April 12, 2026, is “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.”

About This Song

“Soon It’s Gonna Rain” was written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones for the off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks, which opened in 1960 and ran for astounding 42 years and 17,162 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” on March 16, 1962, for On The Glory Road. Just before the intended release date, the album was canceled (it was included in Bennett’s 2011 Complete Collection and is also available on streaming services). The recording was release two years later on The Many Moods of Tony as well as the 1971 album Love Story. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Saturday, April 11, 2026, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon for the Sonja Henie film Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “There Will Never Be Another You” on December 28, 1958, for his second album with Basie, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

We have Bennett’s live improv with The Dave Brubeck Trio (Brubeck on piano, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums) of “There Will Never Be Another You” from Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers E.Y. (Yip) Harburg today; Harburg was born in New York City 130 years ago on April 8, 1896.

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Harold Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 for tribute to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank win the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.