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 Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 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 used in the 1953 Fred Astaire film, The Band Wagon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “By Myself” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

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

We have two wonderful videos today. First up is Fred Astaire singing “By Myself” from The Band Wagon, released in 1953.

Next is Judy Garland singing “By Myself” on her television program in 1964. Be sure to watch until the end. Her exit is one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Thursday, March 13, 2025, 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” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band.

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

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Song of the Day: Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Friday, February 21, 2025, is “Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“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 “Shine On Your Shoes” in July 1993 for his album in tribute to Fred Astaire: Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

Fred Astaire performed “Shine On Your Shoes” in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon. Astaire insisting on using a genuine shoe shiner for the number and Leroy Daniels, who sang and danced while he did shoeshines and worked just by the gates at MGM, was cast.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 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.” The song was used in the 1953 film The Band Wagon, where it was danced to by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, a tribute to Fred Astaire.

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

Here are Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse performing “Dancing in the Dark” from the 1953 film The Band Wagon:

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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!