The song of the day for Friday, November 15, 2024, is “Life Is Beautiful.”

About This Song

“Life is Beautiful” was composed in 1974 by Fred Astaire, with lyrics by Tommy Wolf. While we all know Astaire as America’s greatest dancer, his career as a songwriter is not nearly as well-known. Songwriting was a love of his, though. His biographer Roy Pickard quotes Astaire on this:

I’m a frustrated songwriter and would like to have written a musical comedy score. But that’s just about the only thing I didn’t get done.

“Life is Beautiful” is not only a very well-written song but achieved great popularity as well, as it became the theme song for the Tonight Show.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Life is Beautiful” in 1975 for the album Tony Bennett Life Is Beautiful. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Life Is Beautiful,” as well as the album Life Is Beautiful, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s a clip from the Tonight Show of Fred Astaire singing his song. I apologize for the quality, but it’s beautiful to hear Astaire sing.