An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Friday, September 25, 2026, is “The Cool School.”
“The Cool School” was written in 1959 by Sid Wayne and Al Frisch.
Tony Bennett recorded “The Cool School” on March 23, 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
“The Cool School,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 5, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”
“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” 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 wonderful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers.
Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Last Night When We Were Young” in June 1992 for his tribute to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements and led his trio (Sharon: piano, Paul Langosch (bass), and Joe LaBarbera: drums).
Perfectly Frank won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.
“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.
Frank Sinatra recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” for In The Wee Small Hours, released in 1955. Nelson Riddle wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.
The song of the day for Thursday, September 17, 2025, is “The Beat of My Heart.”
“The Beat of My Heart” (also known as “The Beat o’ My Heart”) was written in 1934 by Harold Spina and Johnny Burke. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Paul Whiteman, Ray Noble, Kate Smith, and Elaine Elias.
Tony Bennett recorded “The Beat of My Heart” on June 27, 1957. Ralph Sharon wrote arrangement; Chico Hamilton is featured on percussion.
“The Beat of My Heart,” as well as the album The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Sunday, September 6, 2026, is “Bewitched.”
“Bewitched” (which is also known by its full name: “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”) was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for their 1940 musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Vivienne Segal. It’s one the best-known song from the Rodgers and Hart canon.
Tony Bennett recorded “Bewitched” with Ralph Sharon on October 28, 1959, for their impeccable album Tony Sings For Two. The album was not released by Columbia until February 6, 1961.
“Song of the Day: Bewitched,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Monday, August 31, 2026, is “Just In Time.”
“Just In Time” was written by Jule Styne, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. The show starred Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin, who introduced the song.
Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Just In Time” live on August 28, 1962, on The Mall in Washington, D.C. At the invitation of President John F. Kennedy, Dave Bruck and his quartet and Tony Bennett with his trio were invited to perform at a special event to honor the participants of the White House Seminar for journalism students.
Bennett performed his with The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. The entire concert was recorded and released in 2013 on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. The original tapes had been misplaced in the Columbia Vaults and only located in 2012.
“Just In Time,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.