The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Friday, August 2, 2024, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Mom

The song of the day for Sunday, May 12, 2024, is “My Mom.”

About This Song

“My Mom” was written in 1932 by Walter Donaldson. It was quite popular at the time, with recordings by George Jessell and Rudy Vallee, among others. In his autobiography The Good Life, Tony Bennett relates that his father used to sing this song to him and his brother and sister when they were children.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Mom” in June 1998 for The Playground, his album for children.

“My Mom,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

The song of the day for Thursday, February 1, 2024, is “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive.”

About This Song

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” was written in 1944 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. This charming song was written in the style of sermon with the message of being positive is the key to happiness. Mercer is said to have heard a sermon by Father Divine, who said “you got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.” And thus this memorable song was born. The song was first used in the 1944 movie Here Comes the Waves, starring Bing Crosby and Betty Hutton. Significant recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Kay Kyser, Artie Shaw, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” in June 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

The song of the day for Friday, September 8, 2023, is “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive.”

About This Song

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” was written in 1944 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. This charming song was written in the style of a sermon with the message that being positive is the key to happiness. Mercer is said to have heard a sermon by Father Divine, who said “You got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.” And thus this memorable song was born. The song was first used in the 1944 movie Here Comes the Waves, starring Bing Crosby and Betty Hutton. Significant recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Kay Kyser, Artie Shaw, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” in June 1998 for his album The Playground. This album marks the first time guitarist Gray Sargent played on one of Bennett’s albums.

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Mom

The song of the day for Sunday, May 14, 2023, is “My Mom.”

About This Song

“My Mom” was written in 1932 by Walter Donaldson and was quite popular when it was written with recordings by George Jessell and Rudy Vallee, among others. Tony Bennett relates in his autobiography The Good Life, that his father used to sing this song to him and his brothers and sisters when they were children.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Mom” in June 1998 for his album of music for children, The Playground.

“My Mom,” as well as The Playground is available on Apple Music.