The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Days of Wine and Roses

The song of the day for Thursday, July 23, 2026, is “Days of Wine and Roses.”

About This Song

“Days of Wine and Roses” was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for the 1962 film, Days of Wine and Roses, which starred Lee Remick and Jack Lemmon. the film is arguably the most powerful film ever made about alcoholism and the struggles of the Remick and Lemmon to stop drinking. There are scenes in this film that I know I will never forget; it is a true masterpiece.

The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It also won the 1964 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Days of Wine and Roses” in June 1975, for their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“Days of Wine and Roses,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Young and Foolish

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, is “Young and Foolish.”

About This Song

“Young and Foolish” was written in 1954 by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt for the Broadway musical Plain and Fancy. The show is about a New York couple who travel to Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to sell a piece of property and become involved with and learn from the community.

About This Version

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

“Young and Foolish,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “Young and Foolish” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026. It’s a terrific recording. I especially enjoyed the extended instrumental chorus.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1947 movie The Road to Rio, where was introduced by Bing Crosby. 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 Lady Gaga.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans 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: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was written in 1949 by Victor Young and Ned Washington for a widely-panned film My Foolish Heart, based on a J.D. Salinger short story. Time Magazine excoriated the score: “nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 31, 2025, is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1944 musical On The Town, the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

In 1959, Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green, Betty Comden, and a few original cast members of On The Town made a studio recording of the musical. Here’s the recording of “Some Other Time,” featuring Betty Comden, Nancy Walker, Adolph Green, and Cris Alexander on vocals.