The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 13, 2024, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 for his album dedicated to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Of course, we have the video of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse from The Band Wagon (1953) dancing to this song. I mean, I’m not some kind of monster.

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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: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, January 7, 2024, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written in 1931 by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. They wrote it for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon; it was also used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film The Band Wagon. It’s widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns arranged and conducted the entire album.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

And just because I can, here’s Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dancing to this beautiful song:

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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.

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