The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

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.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, May 10, 2026, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to to remember the great Fred Astaire, who was born on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska. His 76-year career was remarkable; Astaire was a dancer, singer, actor, singer, musician, and choreographer. His awards include three Emmy Awards, two Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, a BAFTA award, and an honorary Academy Award.

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder describes it as “a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 for Steppin’ Out, Bennett’s tribute to Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

We have the video of Fred Astaire‘s and Cyd Charisse‘s performance of “Dancing in the Dark “from the 1953 film The Band Wagon. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of most beautiful dances ever filmed.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, May 7, 2026, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Willard Robison. Other Robison songs include “Don’t Smoke In Bed” and “A Cottage for Sale.” Alec Wilder wrote this about Willard Robison in American Popular Song:

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” on March 16 1962, for On The Glory Road, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. Just days before the album was to be released, Columbia pulled the album. The 2011 Complete Collection box set included the album, which is now available from most streaming services.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On the Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Monday, May 4, 2026, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written by George Cory and Douglass Cross, who was born 106 years ago on May 4, 1920. Cory and Cross were a gay couple, who met while serving in the Army during World War II, where they wrote shows for their fellow servicemen. After the war, they moved to New York to launch their career as songwriters.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance and in January, 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, I Left My Heart in San Francisco started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans. The San Francisco Giants play Bennett’s recording after every winning home game.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” on January 23, 1962, featuring an arrangement by Marty Manning. It was released as a single and was the basis for the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco, released in June 1962.

In 1963, Tony Bennett won two Grammy Awards:

  1. Record of the Year”
  2. Best Solo Performance, Male

Marty Manning won the 1963 Grammy Award for Best Background Arrangement for “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

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

Tony Bennett appeared on the Judy Garland television show and they sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” It was just perfect.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Thursday, April 30, 2026, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations, and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “What Good Does It Do” live on June 9, 1962, at his legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. The album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall was released in August 1962. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.