The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You’re All the World to Me

The song of the day for Friday, February 28, 2025, is “You’re All the World to Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All the World to Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’re All the World to Me” live on April 12, 1994, for his appearance on Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged won two 1994 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“You’re All the World to Me,” as well as Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, the dancing on the ceiling dance number.

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Song of the Day: You’re All the World to Me

The song of the day for Saturday, August 17, 2024, is “You’re All the World to Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All the World to Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’re All the World to Me” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, consisting of songs made famous by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“You’re All the World to Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the famous Dancing on the Ceiling number from Royal Wedding.

If you’re interested, this clip shows how this number was filmed.

You can read in more detail about how this was accomplished! It includes a film of how the director of Royal Wedding, Stanely Donan, recreated the number for Lionel Richie and the video of his 1986 album Dancing on the Ceiling.

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Song of the Day: You’re All The World To Me

The song of the day for Sunday, January 1, 2023, is “You’re All The World To Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All The World To Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’re All The World To Me” in July 1993 and was released that year on Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“You’re All The World To Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that famous sequence of Fred Astaire dancing on the ceiling in Royal Wedding:

As a special treat, this video explains how this was filmed.

For more explanation, see the timeline and more information from the person who figured this out!

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Song of the Day: You’re All The World To Me

The song of the day for Sunday, May 17, 2015 is “You’re All The World To Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All The World To Me” was written for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding by Burton Lane (music) and Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics).The film starred Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

I really enjoy this recording of “You’re All The World To Me.” The arrangement, especially with the brushes on the drums, does a wonderful job of suggesting the danceability of the number. There is a wonderful airiness to his singing. The more I listen to Steppin’ Out, the more I love the album. Mr. Bennett also sang this song on his MTV Unplugged concert.

You"re All the World to Me

Listen to You"re All the World to Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993

“You’re All The World To Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

Here is Fred Astaire singing and dancing to “You’re All The World To Me.”

For you film buffs, this video shows the mechanics of how this shot was accomplished:

The person who created this explanation explains it second-by-second on his website Bigfott.com.

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Song of the Day: You’re All the World To Me

The song of the day for Thursday, June 19, 2014 is “You’re All The World To Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All The World To Me” was written in 1950 by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the wonderful 1951 Fred Astaire film Royal Wedding. This is the song of Astaire’s famous dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Both of us woke up this morning, independently, thinking about how much we wanted to see Tony Bennett in concert. It was a powerful wish, as at 10:00 am I got an email from the Oregon Symphony letting me know that Tony Bennett, along with his daughter Antonia, would be performing on November 5 here in Portland, Oregon. (Needless to say, I’ve already bought my tickets.) As a result of thinking of this upcoming concert, I have been in a mood for Bennett’s live recorded concerts.

In that frame of mind, I chose “You’re All The World To Me,” from his 1994 MTV Unplugged concert.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5HlMUQuzjkdhv5Y7ix2HZR
“You’re All The World To Me,” as well as the concert recording of MTV Unplugged, is available from iTunes.

Even after I learned how this shot was accomplished, I never cease to wonder at this number. Thanks to YouTube, I’m able to share it today: