The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 13, 2023, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?”.

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain in 1939 for George White’s Scandals. George 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, and was released in 1959 on Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. The song 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: Are You Having Any Fun

The song of the day for Saturday, March 19, 2022, is “Are You Having Any Fun.”

About This Song

“Are You Having Any Fun” was written by. Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. George 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 and The Count Basie Orchestra recorded “Are You Having Any Fun” in 1959 for their first album: Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Are You Having Any Fun,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 16, 2022, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written by Noël Coward for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” with The Count Basie Orchestra in 1959 for his first album with Count Basie: Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement

“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Growing Pains

The song of the day for Saturday, February 26, 2022, is “Growing Pains.”

About This Song

“Growing Pains” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields for the 1951 Broadway musical A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, based on the 1943 novel of the same name by Betty Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Growing Pains” in 1959 with The Count Basie Orchestra for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, released on the Roulette label. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangment.

“Growing Pains,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

As we continue with Duke Ellington Week, the song of the day for Monday, April 26, 2021, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written by Duke Ellington in 1934; the lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later. One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short. per Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards. It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Solitude,” his first, in 1958 for his second album with The Count Basie Orchestra, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Solitude

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1934 recording of today’s song:

Solitude

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 2018.

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