The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The song of the day for Thursday, October 31, 2024, is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. It’s been recorded by Rudy Vallee, Joe Hayames, Ruth Ettings, and Bob Crosby, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Orchestra, recorded “Life is a Song” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangment.

“Life is a Song,” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Monday, February 5, 2024, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon in 1942 for the movie Iceland, set at a U.S Marine station in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include ones by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There Will Never Be Another You” with The Count Basie Orchestra on December 30, 1958, for In Person!, released in 1959. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun

The song of the day for Friday, January 26, 2024, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun.”

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White Scandals. White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Orchestra, recorded “Are You Havin’ Any Fun” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Alright, Okay, You Win

The song of the day for Sunday, December 10, 2023, is “Alright, Okay, You Win.”

About This Song

“Alright, Okay, You Win” was written in 1955 by Maymie Watts and Sid Wyche
or the Count Basie Orchestra. It was first recorded in 1955 by the Basie Orchestra with their male vocalist, Joe Williams. In addition to the Bennett/Krall recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bette Midler.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Alright, Okay, You Win” in May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The vocals were arranged by Rob Mathes.

“Alright, Okay, You Win,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Sunday, June 11, 2023, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Mack Gordon. It was written for a Sonja Henie film called Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as U.S. Marine who was stationed in Iceland during World War II. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There Will Never Be Another You” on December 30, 1958, for the album In Person! with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. This album was intended to be recorded live with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the originally planned title, In Person!.

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.