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 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: By Myself

The song of the day for Thursday, July 4, 2024, is “By Myself.”

About This Song

“By Myself” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1937 musical Between the Devil, where it was introduced by Jack Buchanan. Another great Schwartz-Dietz song from Between the Devil was “I See Your Face Before Me.” This song was also used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” in July 1993 for his tribute album to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Tony Bennet and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Clayton Cameron was the very fine drummer for this recording.

“By Myself,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

My favorite version of this song was a live recording of Judy Garland singing it on The Judy Garland Show in 1964. Her exit at the end of the song is not to be missed!

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 31, 2024, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz 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” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, which consists of songs associated with Frank Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

For The Band Wagon, Astaire wanted to dance with a real bootblack. They found the real thing in Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man working in downtown Los Angeles. Here’s the dance from 1953’s The Band Wagon.

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Song of the Day: Who Cares

The song of the day for Monday, November 6, 2023, is “Who Cares.”

About This Song

“Who Cares” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1931 Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing. It’s one of their very popular songs with many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Who Cares” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, consisting of songs performed by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Who Cares,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Fred Astaire and Benny Goodman recorded “Who Cares” in 1940:

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Friday, October 6, 2023, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Diets 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” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

When Fred Astaire was filming The Band Wagon, he wanted to use an authentic bootblack for “A Shine On Your Shoes.” He hit the jackpot when they found Leroy Daniels, a dancing shoeshine man who worked in downtown Los Angeles.