The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The song of the day for Monday, December 6, 2021, is “I Concentrate On You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” in 1940 for the film Broadway Melody of 1940. It’s one of Porter’s best songs, with recordings by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Judy Garland among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Concentrate On You” in 1993 for his album of songs made famous by Fred Astaires: Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I Concentrate On Youw,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Here are Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing to “I Concentrate On You” from Broadway Melody of 1940:

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Song of the Day: A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

The song of the day for Thursday, December 2, 2021, is “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.”

About This Song

“A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” was written in 1939 by Manny Sherwin and Erick Mashwitz. It was introduced in London in the 1940 revue New Faces by Judy Campbell. Glenn Miller recorded it with Bob Eberly and introduced the song to American audiences. The song was quite popular during World War II and was recorded widely during that period. Significant recordings include those by Ray Noble, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Anita O’Day, Rosemary Clooney, and Nat Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, which won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Shall We Dance

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 1, 2021, is “Shall We Dance.”

About This Song

“Shall We Dance” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Astaire and Rogers film Shall We Dance. Gershwin wrote a series of songs for this film that demonstrated the different styles of dance and choreography, including ballet, waltzes, and more. Other great songs from this score include “They Can’t Take Away From Me” and “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Shall We Dance” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

“Shall We Dance,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 17, 2021, is “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon).”

About This Song

Brooks Bowman wrote “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had a great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, Bowman worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led The Ralph Sharon Trio.

“East of the Sun (and West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Friday, November 12, 2021, 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 1993 for his album of songs made famous by 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.

Speaking of Fred Astaire and The Band Wagon, here’s that exquisite dance with Astaire and the beautiful Cyd Charisse from the 1953 movie.