The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Sunday, June 7, 2026, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All the Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett performed “All the Things You Are” live on June 9, 1962, at Carnegie Hall; the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall was released in August 1962. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

In researching today’s song, I came across an episode of Marian McPartland‘s Piano Jazz with Stephen Sondheim, where Sondheim analyzes and deconstructs “All the Things You Are.” There’s a fair amount of music theory in the discussion, but I think you might enjoy it.

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Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Sunday, May 24, 2026, is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

“Just One Of Those Things” was written by Cole Porter for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder in “American Popular Song” spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfied, in Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” on October 14, 1957, for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited guest drummers and percussionists to play on the album. Art Blakey was the drummer for “Just One Of Those Things.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Life Is a Song

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, is “Life Is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life Is a Song” was written by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young in 1935. Early recordings include those by Rudy Vallee, Ruth Ettings, and Bob Crosby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Life Is a Song” on January 5, 1959, for Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Count Basie played piano for this recording.

“Life Is a Song,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Fall In Love Too Easily

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, is “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

About This Song

“I Fall In Love Too Easily” was written in 1944 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the film Anchors Aweigh, where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra. Significant recordings include those by Mel Tormé, Chet Baker, Johnny Hartman, Shirley Horn, and Anita O’Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Fall In Love Too Easily” in June 1992 for Perfectly Frank, his tribute to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon, wrote the arrangement.

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

“I Fall In Love Too Easily,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Frank Sinatra’s 1944 recording of “I Fall In Love Too Easily.”

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Song of the Day: Pennies From Heaven

The song of the day for Friday, May 15, 2026, is “Pennies From Heaven.”

About This Song

“Pennies From Heaven” was written by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke in 1936 for the film Pennies From Heaven, where it was introduced by Bing Crosby. It’s one of the classic songs from the Great Depression.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, sings “Pennies From Heaven” from his 1959 album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Pennies From Heaven” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

We’re pleased to include Bing Crosby’s original version of “Pennies From Heaven.”