The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Sunday, January 11, 2026, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow for the 1934 movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it. The song has been widely recorded, including those by Duke Ellington with Ivie Anderson, Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1966 for his tribute to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday, with Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra recorded “My Old Flame” on March 25, 1944.

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 43, 2025, is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1928 by Neil Moret and Richard Whiting. The song first appeared in the short film Gems of MGM, released in 1931. Billie Holiday recorded the song in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Funny That Way” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. which was released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1937 recording (sung as “He’s Funny That Way”):

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 27, 2025, is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1928 by Neil Moret and Richard Whiting. Whiting’s daughter, Margaret Whiting, stated that the lyric started as a poem her father wrote about their mother, Eleanor Whiting. Significant recordings include those by Ted Lewis, Thelma Carpenter, Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday, who recorded it in 1953.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Funny That Way” in June 1966 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Holiday’s 1953 recording:

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Thursday, August 7, 2025, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1944 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Composer Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” Fisher was also a talented singer and performer. Other songs of hers include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.” Billie Holiday made the first recording of “That Ole Devil Called Love” in 1945.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1945 recording of “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

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Song of the Day: Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)

The song of the day for Monday, July 7, 2025, is “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good).”

About This Song

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” was written in 1934 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for their last show at the Cotton Club, where it was sung by Adelaide Hall. This song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Audra McDonald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” in June 1996 for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, consisting of songs associated with Billie Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good),” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” in 1956 for her album All Or Nothing At All. It was her last album. Featured on the album were Harry “Sweets” Edison (trumpet) and Ben Webster (saxophone).