The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Thursday, September 25, 2025, is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow for the 1930 film Honey, starring Lillian Roth. In addition to recordings by Tony Bennett, other versions include those by Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, and Margaret Whiting.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sing You Sinners” on July 20, 1950, and released it as a single. The recording appears on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, released in 2011 as part of the Complete Collection box set. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Sing You Sinners,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Monday, August 18, 2025, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow for the 1934 movie Belle of the Nineties, starring Mae West. Mae West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang that song for the film.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his tribute to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett on Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday , is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “My Old Flame” in 1944:

Here’s the 1934 recording from Belle of the Nineties, with Mae West and Duke Ellington:

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Song of the Day: True Blue Lou

The song of the day for July 23, 2025, is “True Blue Lou.”

About This Song

“True Blue Lou” was written by Richard Whiting, with lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin, for the 1929 musical film The Dance of Life, an adaptation of the Broadway play Burlesque. The song was sung in the film by Hal Skelly, in the role of an out-of-work burlesque comedian. “True Blue Lou” was a standard song for Ethel Waters, who sang it throughout her career. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, Frank Sinatra also recorded it in the 1950s.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “True Blue Lou” on April 24, 1963, for his album This Is All I Ask, which was released 62 years ago today on July 23, 1963. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted The Ralph Sharon Trio.

“True Blue Lou,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Ethel Waters 1929 recording of “True Blue Lou.”

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Friday, September 13, 2024, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written in 1934 by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslaw. The song was written for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it.

Billie Holiday recorded “My Old Flame” for Commodore Records in 1944.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Lady Day’s 1944 recording of “My Old Flame.”

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Song of the Day: True Blue Lou

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 24, 2024, is “True Blue Lou.”

About This Song

“True Blue Lou” was written in 1929 by Richard Whiting, with lyrics by Sam Coslow and Leo Robin, for the 1929 file musical The Dance of Life. The song was sung in the film by Hal Skelly, in the role of an out-of-work burlesque comedian. “True Blue Lou” was a standard song for Ethel Waters, who sang it throughout her career. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, Frank Sinatra also recorded it in the 1950s.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “True Blue Lou” sixty-one years ago today on April 24, 1963, for the album This Is All I Ask. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.

“True Blue Lou,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available on Apple Music.