The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Tuesday, may 20, 2025, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1927 Broadway musical Show Boat. The song is sung in Act One by Gaylord Ravenal and Magnolia Hawks (daughter of Cap’n Andy, owner of the show boat).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charlap, who also produced the album.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Nobody Else But Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 22, 2024, is “Nobody Else But Me.”

About This Song

“Nobody Else But Me” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1946 Broadway revival of Show Boat, replacing a reprise of “Why Do I Love You?” near the end of Act Two. It was the last song that Jerome Kern wrote; he died shortly before the 1946 production opened. This song has been used in other revivals as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nobody Else But Me” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Nobody Else But Me,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Friday, March 10, 2023, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the groundbreaking 1927 musical Show Boat.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap recorded “Make Believe” for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson singing “Make Believe” from the 1951 film version of Show Boat:

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 29, 2020, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein in 1927 for the original stage production of Show Boat. It’s a lovely song, sung by Magnolia Hawks and Gaylord Ravenal as they first begin to fall in love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” with the Bill Charlap Trio for the album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 2, 2019, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1927 Broadway musical Show Boat. The first recording of this song was made in 1928 by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, featuring vocals by Bing Crosby.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” for his 2015 album with the Bill Charlap Trio, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern.

Make Believe

Make Believe, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Charlap on Spotify

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

About Today

This January we are featuring the songs of Jerome Kern, who was born in January 1885. Look forward to lots of very great songs by Jerome Kern sung by Tony Bennett this month.