The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Friday, September 18, 2026, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

“Blue Moon” was written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The song was introduced in their 1934 show Manhattan Melodrama, although with with a completely different lyric. Hart wrote the lyric we know today in 1934. It’s one of their most popular songs and has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Blue Moon” in 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released on his Improv label in 1976. He was accompanied the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet (Braff: cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright (guitar), and John Guiffrida (bass).

“Blue Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Bewitched

The song of the day for Sunday, September 6, 2026, is “Bewitched.”

About This Song

“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.

About This Version

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.

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Song of the Day: Two By Two

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 1, 2026, is “Two By Two.”

About This Song

“Two By Two” was written by Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim for their 1965 musical Do I Hear a Waltz.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Two By Two” on February 19, 1965 for If I Ruled the World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Two By Two,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Sunday, August 23, 2026, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American Songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “My Funny Valentine” on February 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, Billy Exiner on drums). The recording was included on A Time For Love, released in 1966.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There’s a Small Hotel

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, is “There’s a Small Hotel.”

About This Song

“There’s a Small Hotel” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart was originally written for the 1935 musical Jumbo, but dropped. It was used in the 1936 On Your Toes, where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’s a Small Hotel” in September 1973. It was originally released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Accompanying Bennett was the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Graff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Giuffrida on bass.

“There’s a Small Hotel,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.