The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Monday, October 31, 2022, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. The song was written for Bing Crosby to sing in the movie The Road to Rio. This song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Bill Evans and Tony Bennett recorded “But Beautiful” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, March 21, 2015 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the movie The Road to Rio, where it was sung by Bing Crosby. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Today’s version of “But Beautiful” is from 1975: Tony Bennett and Bill Evans on The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, their first album together. I can, and have, listened to this album for days on end and still find new things each time I listen. This song is one my favorites from the album.

But Beautiful

Listen to But Beautiful on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · Song · 1989.


“But Beautiful,” as well as The Complete Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s video Saturday and today we feature the Tony Bennett’s and Lady Gaga’s duet of today’s song. I love the part where Tony takes out his handkerchief and wipes away a tear from Lady Gaga’s face.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, January 31, 2015 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “But Beautiful,” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “But Beautiful” in 1975 with Bill Evans for their groundbreaking The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album. Widely admired by critics and fans of both musicians, it is an extraordinary jazz outing. Every song on the album is wonderful; “But Beautiful” is one of the best.

But Beautiful

Listen to But Beautiful on Spotify. Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · Song · 1975.


“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Once again, it’s Saturday. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “But Beautiful” for their new album, Cheek To Cheek and that is today’s video.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, November 22, 2014 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

Written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, “But Beautiful” was written for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Tony Bennett and Bill Evans.

About This Version

Today’s version the duet with Lady Gaga from the recently released album Cheek To Cheek. Even though I am devoted to the recording Bennett made with Bill Evans, this one is also quite excellent; I love hearing the perspective of the singer change over the intervening years. Lady Gaga is damned swell too. It’s definitely one of my favorites from their album.

About Today

If today is Saturday, there must be a video. Here’s the video that Tony and Lady Gaga made for today’s song.

But Beautiful

Listen to But Beautiful on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · Song · 2014.


“But Beautiful,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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