The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: When I Fall In Love

The song of the day for Monday, August 14, 2017 is “When I Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“When I Fall In Love” was written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman for the 1952 romantic war film One Minute to Zero, starring Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth. The tag line on the movie poster was “Back of every man of action …. there’s a woman made for love.”

Well, it was 1952.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Count Basie and His Orchestra recorded “When I Fall In Love” in 1958 for the album In Person! The arrangement was done by Ralph Sharon.

When I Fall in Love

Listen to When I Fall in Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett & Count Basie · 2013


“When I Fall In Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Saturday, August 12, 2017 is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “It Had To Be You,” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. It is a 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 has recorded “It Had To Be You” several times. Today I’ve chosen his 1964 recording from When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are You, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s Saturday again and I have a lovely video for you. It’s Tony Bennett singing today’s song, accompanied by Ralph Sharon, on television for a Muscular Dystrophy Association fund-raising program. My guess is that this was recorded sometime in the early 1980s.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 8, 2017 is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was composed by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, in 1940 for the musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett had already recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” in 1956 for his album Tony before he and Count Basie decided to record it in 1958 for In Person! Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

Taking a Chance on Love

Listen to Taking a Chance on Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett & Count Basie · 2013


“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

As a special treat, here is the wonderful Ethel Waters singing this song with Eddie Anderson from the film version of Cabin in the Sky. The featured dancer is none other than Bill Bailey. Enjoy!

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Sunday, August 6, 2017 is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?”

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written for the 1939 George White’s Scandals by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain. George White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

Are You Havin" Any Fun? - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Are You Havin" Any Fun? - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959


“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: With Plenty of Money and You

The song of the day for Friday, August 4, 2017 is “With Plenty of Money and You.”

About This Song

“With Plenty of Money and You” was written for the Gold Diggers of 1937, starring Dick Powell and Joan Blondell and choreographed by Busby Berkeley. Interestingly, the score for the film was to have been written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, but Berkeley didn’t like what they had written and brought in Warren and Dubin for this song and several other songs. Some Arlen and Harburg songs were used in the film as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “With Plenty of Money and You” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. The recording was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

With Plenty of Money and You - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to With Plenty of Money and You - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959


“With Plenty of Money and You,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.