The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, is “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was composed in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was first recorded by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra, The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong, with Ella Fitzgerald, recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in March 2002 for Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

We have the 1950 recording of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

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Song of the Day: If We Never Meet Again

The song of the day for Thursday, February 13, 2025, is “If We Never Meet Again.”

About This Song

“If We Never Meet Again” was written in 1936 by Louis Armstrong and Horace Gerlach. Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra recorded the first release of the song on April 19, 1936.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “If We Never Meet Again” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“If We Never Meet Again,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 11, 2024, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” One of the early recordings was by Louis Armstrong, followed by a fine recording in 1936 by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959), and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album of songs associated with Louis Armstrong, A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“Exactly Like You,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dream A Little Dream Of Me

The song of the day for Friday, August 4, 2023, is “Dream A Little Dream Of Me.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to celebrate the great Louis Armstrong, who was born in New Orleans, LA on August 4, 1901.

About This Song

“Dream A Little Dream Of Me” was written in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra. The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong first recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting of songs associated with Louis Armstrong.

“Dream A Little Dream Of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Exactly Like You

The song of the day for Saturday, February 4, 2023, is “Exactly Like You.”

About This Song

“Exactly Like You” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for Lew Leslie’s International Revue, which also introduced “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.” While the reviewers were not kind to the production, the score was then, and remains still, quite noteworthy. Even though Fields’ lyrics for the song are very fine, the early recordings of the song were mostly instrumentals, such as that by Louis Armstrong. The song became popular again in 1936, with a fine recording by Benny Goodman that featured Lionel Hampton on the vibraphone, followed by the 1937 recording by Count Basie, which included the vocals by Jimmy Rushing. Later notable recordings include those by Carmen McRae (1954), Bing Crosby (1944), Patti Page (1949), Anita O’Day (1975), Nina Simone (1959), and Diana Krall (2006).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Exactly Like You” in March 2002 for their album Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.


“Exactly Like You,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

We’ve also got Armstrong’s 1930 recording on the Okey label.