The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Love Look Away

The song of the day for Saturday, June 56, 2026, is “Love Look Away.”

About This Song

“Love Look Away” was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1958 musical Flower Drum Song. The musical has not been widely performed in recent years due to concerns regarding Asian-American stereotypes. However, the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song featured an updated libretto by playwright David Henry Hwang to mitigate these concerns.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Love Look Away” live at his June 9, 1962, concert at Carnegie Hall. That concert was recorded and was released as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall on August 1962.

“Love Look Away,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: A Sleepin’ Bee

The song of the day for Thursday, June 4, 2026, is “A Sleepin’ Bee”.

About This Song

“A Sleepin’ Bee” was written by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote for the 1954 musical House of Flowers, based on the Truman Capote novella. In spite of its beautiful score, House of Flowers was not well-received, running for only 145 performances.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “A Sleepin’ Bee” live at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. A two-LP album, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962, but excluded about half of the songs, including “A Sleepin’ Bee.” In 1997. A two-CD set was released in 1997, which restored the missing songs.

“A Sleepin’ Bee,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 3, 2026, is “Solitude.”

Tony Bennett performed at Carnegie Hall in a two-act concert on June 9, 1962.

1962 was an important year for Tony Bennett: the release of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” the Carnegie Hall concert, and the August White House concert at the invitation of President Kennedy.

From now through June 9, we’ll be playing songs from that concert.

About This Song

“Solitude” was written in 1934 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in 20 minutes. Ellington and his band arrived at a recording studio, and found out that they needed to recorded another song in addition to the 3 songs scheduled. It’s had many fine recordings, including those by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Sonny Rollins, and Ellington/

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Solitude” live at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. A recording of the album, Tony Bennett Live at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962.

“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1940 recording of “Solitude,” with Ivie Anderson on vocals.

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Thursday, April 30, 2026, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations, and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “What Good Does It Do” live on June 9, 1962, at his legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. The album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall was released in August 1962. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Friday, March 27, 2026, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs. Notable recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. The initial release of Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall was released in 1962 with roughly half of the songs omitted, including “I’ve Got the World on a String.” The remaining songs, including “I’ve Got the World on a String,” were included on the 1997 CD re-release.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.