The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended

The song of the day for Monday, August 10, 2026, is “The Song Is Ended.”

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927. Berlin references Ira Gershswin’s lyric from “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” with ‘the song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote, the melody lingers on.” Ruth Etting, Nelly Lutcher, and Whispering Jack Smith all made excellent recordings of the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended” for his 1987 album Bennett/Berlin; Dizzy Gillespie is the featured trumpet player for the song. Bennett was backed by The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“The Song Is Ended,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ruth Etting‘s 1928 recording of “The Song Is Ended.”

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Thursday, August 6, 2026, is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written by Jerome Moross and John LaTouche for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple. The musical uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but is set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lazy Afternoon” on June 27, 1957, for The Beat of My Heart. Bennett invited many notable percussionists to play on the recordings; Chico Hamilton played for “Lazy Afternoon.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music

Here’s the recording of “Lazy Afternoon” from the original cast album of The Golden Apple. It’s sung by Kaye Ballard, who played Helen in the production.

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Saturday, August 2, 2026, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Got To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Alec Wilder called “You Got To My Head” “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Got To My Head” on October 14, 1957. It was an outtake for the original release of The Beat of My Heart in 1957, but was included on the 1997 re-release of the album. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Thru With Love

The song of the day for Thursday, July 30, 2026, is “I’m Thru With Love.”

About This Song

“I’m Thru With Love” was written in 1931 with lyrics by Gus Kahn and music by Matty Malneck and Fud Livingston. Marilyn Monroe sang it in the 1959 film Some Like It Hot. Other recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded “I’m Through With Love” in for their two-person album, Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1961.

“I’m Thru With Love,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

Because I love Marilyn Monroe, I am compelled to include this scene from Some Like It Hot.

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Song of the Day: Yesterdays

The song of the day for Friday, July 17, 2026, is “Yesterdays.”

About This Song

“Yesterdays” was written for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta, with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Otto Harbach. The song was introduced by Irene Dunne. The cast of the Broadway production also featured Bob Hope, George Murphy, Sidney Greenstreet and Fred MacMurray. One of Kern’s best outings, Roberta also introduced “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Let’s Begin.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett’s version of “Yesterdays” is from the 1966 album A Time To Love., though this recording is from 1964. It has a wonderful arrangement by Ralph Sharon and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

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