The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 13, 2024, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song 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 his album dedicated to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

Of course, we have the video of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse from The Band Wagon (1953) dancing to this song. I mean, I’m not some kind of monster.

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Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Friday, February 9, 2024, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Willard Robison, who also wrote “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote

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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” on March 16, 1962, for the album On The Glory Road, which was to be released in 1962, but was canceled at the last minute by Columbia Records; thankfully, it was included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Monday, February 5, 2024, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon in 1942 for the movie Iceland, set at a U.S Marine station in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include ones by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There Will Never Be Another You” with The Count Basie Orchestra on December 30, 1958, for In Person!, released in 1959. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love For Sale

The song of the day for Saturday, February 3, 2024, is “Love For Sale.”

About This Song

“Love For Sale” was written by Cole Porter in 1930 for the Broadway musical The New Yorkers, sung by a prostitute advertising her services. The song was considered rather scandalous at the time. In fact, for the production of The New Yorkers, it was supposed to be sung by the white star Kathryn Crawford, but the song was assigned to an African-American singer instead. Despite being banned from playing on the radio, “Love For Sale” has had many fine recordings, including those by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love For Sale” on October 24, 1957, for his second jazz album, The Beat of My Heart, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. Bennett invited percussionists to play on the album; for this song he used Candico, Sabu, and his regular drummer, Billy Exiner.

” Love For Sale,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 31, 2024, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which consists of songs associated with Frank Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

For The Band Wagon, Astaire wanted to dance with a real bootblack. They found the real thing in Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man working in downtown Los Angeles. Here’s the dance from 1953’s The Band Wagon.