The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Mom

The song of the day for Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 2018 is “My Mom.”

About This Song

This lovely 1932 song by Walter Donaldson was quite popular at time, 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 1998 for his album The Playground, featuring songs for children. The lovely piano accompaniment is from Ralph Sharon.

My Mom

Listen to My Mom on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1998


“My Mom,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Monday, February 6, 2018 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 1988 for his album for children of all ages, The Playground.

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

Listen to Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1998


“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Dat Dere

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 28, 2017 is “Dat Dere.”

About This Song

The jazz instrumental “Dat Dere” was written in 1960 by Bobby Timmons; it was first played by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in 1960, with Timmons on piano. Oscar Brown, Jr. wrote lyrics for the tune in 1961 for his album Sin & Soul … and Then Some. The song has been recorded by jazz and popular singers including Mel Tormé and Rickie Lee Jones.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dat Dere” in 1998 for his delightful album for children, The Playground. Playing with Bennett is the Ralph Sharon Quartet, with Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

Dat Dere

Listen to Dat Dere on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1998


“Dat Dere,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Mom

The song of the day for Sunday, May 14, 2017 is “My Mom.”

About This Song

This lovely 1932 song by Walter Donaldson was quite popular at time, 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 1998 for his album for children, The Playground.

My Mom

Listen to My Mom on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1998


“My Mom,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett honors all of our mothers, including those who are no longer here, but are always with us.

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

The song of the day for Monday, November 7, 2016 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 1998 for his album for children (of all ages!), The Playground.

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

Listen to Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1998


“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.