The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 29, 2020, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein in 1927 for the original stage production of Show Boat. It’s a lovely song, sung by Magnolia Hawks and Gaylord Ravenal as they first begin to fall in love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” with the Bill Charlap Trio for the album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Dearly Beloved

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 23, 2019, is “Dearly Beloved.”

About This Song

“Dearly Beloved” was written in 1942 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, for the film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. The song was nominated for an Academy Award.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dearly Beloved” with The Bill Charlap Trio for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Dearly Beloved,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Friday, September 20, 2019, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 Fred Astaire film Swing Time. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. It’s had many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Nat Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” for the 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern with the Bill Charlap Trio, featuring Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush On You

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 18, 2019, is “I’ve Got a Crush On You.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush On You” was written in 1928 by George and Ira Gershwin. It has the distinction of being used in two Broadway musicals: first in 1928 in Treasure Girl and again in 1930 for Strike Up the Band. It’s been widely recorded and is considered a jazz song due to fine recordings by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “I’ve Got a Crush on You” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay, with the Bill Charlap Trio.

I’ve Got A Crush On You

I’ve Got A Crush On You, a song by Tony Bennett, Diana Krall on Spotify

“I’ve Got a Crush On You,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 5, 2019, is “Do It Again.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Do It Again,” was composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva. The song was used for the 1922 show The French Doll, at the insistence of the star Irène Bordon. George Gershwin told this story in 1934:

I was in the office of Max Dreyfus, my publisher, one day when Buddy DeSylva walked in. DeSylva said jokingly to me, “George, let’s write a hit!” I matched him by saying, “O.K.!” I sat down at the piano, and began playing a theme which I was composing on the spot. Buddy listened for a few minutes and then began chanting this title-—”Oh, Do It Again!,” which he had just fitted to my theme.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for the 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The album features The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. In addition, Charlap did the arrangments for the album.

Do It Again

Do It Again, a song by Tony Bennett, Diana Krall on Spotify

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.