The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Beat of My Heart

The song of the day for Thursday, September 17, 2025, is “The Beat of My Heart.”

About This Song

“The Beat of My Heart” (also known as “The Beat o’ My Heart”) was written in 1934 by Harold Spina and Johnny Burke. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Paul Whiteman, Ray Noble, Kate Smith, and Elaine Elias.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Beat of My Heart” on June 27, 1957. Ralph Sharon wrote arrangement; Chico Hamilton is featured on percussion.

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

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Thursday, August 20, 2026, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Got To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Alec Wilder called “You Got To My Head” “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Got To My Head” on October 14, 1957, for his third LP album, The Beat of My Heart. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as the Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Thursday, August 6, 2026, is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written by Jerome Moross and John LaTouche for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple. The musical uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but is set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lazy Afternoon” on June 27, 1957, for The Beat of My Heart. Bennett invited many notable percussionists to play on the recordings; Chico Hamilton played for “Lazy Afternoon.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music

Here’s the recording of “Lazy Afternoon” from the original cast album of The Golden Apple. It’s sung by Kaye Ballard, who played Helen in the production.

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Saturday, August 2, 2026, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Got To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Alec Wilder called “You Got To My Head” “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Got To My Head” on October 14, 1957. It was an outtake for the original release of The Beat of My Heart in 1957, but was included on the 1997 re-release of the album. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lullaby of Broadway

The song of the day for Thursday, July 9, 2026, is “Lullaby of Broadway.”

About This Song

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

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.

I’m happy to include Jerry Orbach singing “Lullaby of Broadway” live on the 1981 Tony Awards telecast.