The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Monday, January 27, 2025, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About Today

Today we are remembering Jerome Kern, who was born on January 27, 1885, in New York City.

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 movie Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” with The Ralph Sharon Trio in 1977 for the soundtrack of My Best Friend’s Wedding.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 3, 2024, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green for the 1960 musical Do Re Mi, which concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the jukebox business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Someone Happy” live at The Washington Monument on August 28, 1962, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums). Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Quartet were invited by President John F. Kennedy to play at the White House, but there was so much interest in the concert that it was moved to the Washington Monument. concert was taped, but the masters were lost in the Columbia vaults (misfiled in the Classical section) and were only located in 2012. Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 was released in 2013.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 24, 2024, is “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie.”

About This Song

“It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” was written by Billy Mayhew in 1936 and was originally introduced by Fats Waller. It’s been recorded by artists from Billie Holiday to Steve Goodman to Slim Whitman to Patti Page. And, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. The Ralph Sharon Trio accompanied Bennett on this album, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Sharon also wrote the arrangement.

“It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When Lights Are Low

The song of the day for Saturday, April 20, 2024, is “When Lights Are Low.”

About This Song

“When Lights Are Low” was written in 1936 by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams, while both Carter and Williams were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger for BBC during that time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Lights Are Low” on March 26, 1964, for the album When Lights Are Low, which was released sixty years ago today on April 20, 1964. Bennett was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio: Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Sharon also wrote all the arrangements for the album.

“When Lights Are Low,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Ain’t Misbehaving

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 19, 2024, is “Ain’t Misbehaving.”

About This Song

“Ain’t Misbehaving” was written in 1929 by Fats Waller and Harry Brooks, with lyrics by Andy Razaf. Fats Waller introduced “Ain’t Misbehaving” in the 1929 musical revue Connie’s Hot Chocolates, staged at Connie’s Inn in Harlem. Andy Razaf, the lyricist, says that Waller wrote the entire song in just 45 minutes. It has become one of Waller’s most well-known songs, perhaps due to the wildly successful Broadway musical revue Ain’t Misbehaving, which opened in 1978.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ain’t Misbehaving” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano; Hal Gaylord on bass; Billy Exiner on drums) accompanied Bennett for this recording; Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Ain’t Misbehaving,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.