The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 12, 2018 is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. The song was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings include those by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble” in 1963 for his album This Is All I Ask.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Monday, June 26, 2017 is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble’s a Bubble),” was written in 1924. Lewis Gensler wrote the music and Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva wrote the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble” in 1963 for the album This Is All I Ask. Ralph Burns, our musical collaborator of the month, wrote the arrangement.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: This Is All I Ask

The song of the day for Saturday, September 3, 2016 is “This Is All I Ask.”

About This Song

Gordon Jenkins wrote “This Is All I Ask” in 1958. Jenkins was a prolific composer, arranger and conductor from the 1930s through the 1960s. He worked closely with artists including Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland and won a Grammy Award for Sinatra’s 1965 album September of My Years, which included a recording of “This Is All I Ask.” Jenkins is said to have considered this song his favorite of all the songs he wrote.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Is All I Ask” twice. Today’s recording is from 1963 on the album also named This Is All I Ask. The arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

This Is All I Ask

Listen to This Is All I Ask on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“This Is All I Ask,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today’s video is Tony Bennett singing this song last month on Late Night With Stephen Colbert just before his 90th birthday. If you haven’t seen it, you have a real treat in store. If you have seen it, it’s just as good again.

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Song of the Day: Young and Foolish

The song of the day for Thursday, November 19, 2015 is “Young and Foolish.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Young and Foolish” was written by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt for the 1954 musical Plain and Fancy, which concerns 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

Today’s version is Bennett’s first recording of “Young and Foolish” made in 1963 for the album “This Is All I Ask.” It was arranged by Ralph Burns.

Young And Foolish

Listen to Young And Foolish on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Young and Foolish,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

About Today

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Song of the Day: Young and Foolish

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 23, 2014 is “Young and Foolish.”

About This Song

“Young and Foolish” was written by Albert Hague and Arnold B. Horwitt for the 1954 musical Plain and Fancy, which places a New York couple in an Amish community in Pennsylvania. It’s a lovely song and is a favorite of jazz and cabaret singers.

About This Version

Today’s version is Bennett’s first recording, from 1963 for the album This Is All I Ask; he also recorded this song with Bill Evans in 1975 for their first album. Today’s arrangement of “Young and Foolish” is by Ralph Burns; the album was produced by Ernie Altschuler.

Young And Foolish

Listen to Young And Foolish on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Young and Foolish,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.