The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Shall We Dance

The song of the day for Monday, September 28, 2020, is “Shall We Dance.”

About This Song

This song is, of course, the title song for the 1937 Astaire and Rogers film Shall We Dance, released in 1937. George and Ira 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” for his 1998 album Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

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

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Friday, September 4, 2020, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

This song was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 28, 2020, is “I Concentrate On You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” 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 Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The album won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

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

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate on You

The song of the day for Friday, March 6, 2020, is “I Concentrate on You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” for the film Broadway Melody of 1940. It’s one of Porter’s better 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 the album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I Concentrate on You,” as well as Steppon’ Out, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 7, 2020, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz for the 1932 Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” for his 1993 album Steppin’ Out, which features songs sung (and danced) by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon arranged the song.

Steppin’ Out won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

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“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

And now Fred Astaire!

“For the “Shine on My Shoes” number, Fred Astaire wanted to dance with the bootblack. They found the real thing in Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man working in downtown Los Angeles. ReelRundown has an excellent story about Leroy Daniels.

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