The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the third day of a Tony Bennett Christmas is “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” was written in 1934 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. The song had a spectacular debut. It was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934. On the day after the broadcast, there were 100,000 orders for the sheet music; by Christmas, over 400,000 copies of the sheet music had been sold.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” in June 1967 for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album , recorded in 1968. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve also got a video of Tony Bennett’s recording of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” with The Count Basie Orchestra for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

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Song of the Day: Until I Met You

The song of the day for Monday, June 16, 2025, is “Until I Met You.”

About This Song

“Until I Met You” was written in 1956 by Freddie Green, with lyrics by Don Wolfe. The instrumental-only version of the tune is known as “Corner Pocket.” Freddie Green played rhythm guitar for the Count Basie Orchestra for fifty years. The first recording of “Corner Pocket” was on Basie’s 1956 album April In Paris. Other recordings include those by Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, and The Manhattan Transfer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Until I Met You” on March 16, 1962, intended for release on On The Glory Road, but was cancelled at the last minute. This recording was included on the 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Until I Met You,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1956 recording by The Count Basie Orchestra from April In Paris:

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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.