The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Sunday, May 24, 2026, is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

“Just One Of Those Things” was written by Cole Porter for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder in “American Popular Song” spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfied, in Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” on October 14, 1957, for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited guest drummers and percussionists to play on the album. Art Blakey was the drummer for “Just One Of Those Things.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Crazy Rhythm

The song of the day for Sunday, April 5, 2026, is “Crazy Rhythm.”

About This Song

“Crazy Rhythm” was written in 1928 by Joseph Meyer, Roger Wolfe Kahn, and Irving Caesar for the 1929 musical Here’s Howe. It’s been a popular standard since it was written and has been heavily recorded, not just by jazz and popular artists, but other genres including hillbilly. Significant recordings include those by Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Stan Getz, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, and Whispering Jack Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy Rhythm” on June 27, 1957, for The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited guest percussionists to play; “Crazy Rhythm” features Chico Hamilton. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Crazy Rhythm,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

We have the first recording of “Crazy Rhythm” made by Roger Wolfe Khan and His Orchestra in 1928:

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Song of the Day: Blues in the Night

The song of the day for Thursday, January 22, 2026, is “Blues in the Night.”

About This Song

“Blues in the Night” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1941 film Blues in the Night. Arlen wrote the music first and wrote a true blues song. Johnny Mercer, who later wrote the lyrics, drew on his Southern heritage to write the exceptional blues lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blues in the Night” on October 21, 1957, for his album The Beat of My Heart. For The Beat of My Heart, Bennett and Ralph Sharon invited percussionists to participate. Jo Jones was the drummer for “Blues in the Night.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Blues in the Night,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

I was delighted to find a video from this film Blues in the Night where the song is introduced. The soloist is baritone William Gillespie, who was hired to sing this song,

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Song of the Day: Lullaby of Broadway

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 9, 2025, is “Lullaby of Broadway.”

About Today

Tony Bennett’s third album, The Beat of My Heart, was released on December 9, 1957. The album was conceived by Bennett, who wanted to make a jazz albums of standards featuring percussion and voice. Bennett and Ralph Sharon planned the album while they were on the road touring.

About This Song

“Lullaby of Broadway” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1935 movie Gold Diggers of 1935; it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It is one of the great show biz anthems. The 1980 musical 42nd Street featured Jerry Orbach singing the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lullaby of Broadway” on October 21, 1957, for The Beat of My Heart, featuring Jo Jones on drums. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lullaby of Broadway,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Let There Be Love

The song of the day for Sunday, September 21, 2025, is “Let There Be Love.”

About This Song

“Let There Be Love” was written in 1939 by Lionel Rand and Ian Grant. It’s a popular standard, with recordings by Pearl Bailey, George Shearing, Annie Ross, Nat “King” Cole, and the Andrews Sisters.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let There Be Love” on October 25, 1957, for The Beat of My Heart. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. This song was not included on the original 1957 release, but was added to the 1996 CD release of The Beat of My Heart. Sharon also wrote the liner notes, which are excellent.

For The Beat of My Heart, Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon invited guest percussionists to play on the album. In addition to Bennett’s drummer, Billy Exiner, “Let There Be Love” features Sabu and Candido.

“Let There Be Love,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.