The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’m in Love Again

The song of the day for Saturday, October 24, 2026, is “I’m in Love Again.”

About This Song

“I’m in Love Again” was composed by Cy Coleman and Bill Schluger, with lyrics by Peggy Lee. Lee was the first to record her song for her album I’m In Love Again, released in February 1964, followed Blossom Dearie’s recording in May 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m in Love Again” in July 1995 for his album Here’s to the Ladies, which was released 31 years ago on October 24, 1995. The album celebrates the great women vocalists of the 20th century. “I’m in Love Again” his is tribute to Peggy Lee. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“I’m in Love Again,” as well as Here’s To the Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

We have Miss Peggy Lee’s recording of “I’m in Love Again.”

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Song of the Day: I Didn’t Know What Time It Was

The song of the day for Friday, October 23, 2025, is “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was.”

About This Song

“I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1939 Broadway musical Too Many Girls; it was retained in the 1940 film version of Too Many Girls. It was used again in the 1957 film version of Pal Joey, where it was sung by Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” on October 28, 1959, for the album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

“I Didn’t Know What Time It Was,” as well as Tony Sings For Two , is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got the scene from Pal Joey where Sinatra sings today’s song.

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Song of the Day: The Song Is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On)

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 21, 2026, is “The Song Is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On).”

About Today

Today we are celebrating Dizzy Gillespie who was born 109 years ago on October 21, 1917, in Cheraw, South Carolina.

Some years ago I was watching an Ask Me Anything interview that Tony Bennett was doing; his son and manager Danny was there as well, and Bennett told this story. Turns out that Gillespie had been a neighbor of Tony’s when he lived in Englewood, New Jersey. One day, the doorbell rang and young Danny answered it. Standing there was Dizzy Gillespie who said “I’m Dizzy!” Danny, who had never met Gillespie, asked him if he’d like to come in and have a glass of water. The adult Danny blushed a little bit and said something like “oh, Dad.” I love that story.

About This Song

“The Song Is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On)” was written by Irving Berlin in 1927. Ruth Etting and Whispering Jack Smith both recorded it in 1928. The song references Ira Gershwin’s lyric in “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” in the line “the song is ended, but as the songwriter wrote, the melody lingers on.” Gershwin may have based his lyric on Berlin’s 1924 song “All Alone,” which has the line “Just like a melody that lingers on.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Song Is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On)” in May 1987 for Bennett/Berlin. Dizzy Gillespie is featured on trumpet in this recording.

“The Song Is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On),” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

One thing I’ve discovered over the years of doing this blog is that Ruth Etting recorded just about every song written in the 1920s. Here’s her recording of “The Song Is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On).”

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Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

“Night and Day” was written by https://www.coleporter.org/bio.html for the 1932 Broadway musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The musical was adapted for the 1934 film, this time titled The Gay Divorcee, starring Astaire and Ginger Rogers. “Night and Day” is different from the standard 32-bar choruses, divided into four 8-bar sections. Porter used a 48-bar chorus instead.The verse is also unusual as it consists of a single note repeated 35 times. Porter is said to have been influenced by the Muslim call to prayer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in June 1992 for his tribute to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. He was accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums). Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

I’ve got three YouTube videos that you may find interesting.

First, is the 1932 recording that Fred Astaire made with Leo Reisman and his orchestra.

Next is Frank Sinatra’s 1942 recording, arranged by Alex Stordahl.

And finally, the scene from the 2004 film DeLovely, where Kevin Klein (playing Cole Porter) teaches John Barrowman how to sing “Night and Day.”

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Song of the Day: Alright, Okay, You Win

The song of the day for Monday, October 19, 2026, is “Alright, Okay, You Win.”

About This Song

“Alright, Okay, You Win” was written in 1955 by Sid Wyche and Mayme Watts. It was recorded in 1955 by Count Basie and several other artists, but none of them charted. Peggy Lee’s 1958 recording was more popular.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Alright, Okay, You Win” on May 14, 2001, for Playing’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues. The Ralph Sharon Quartet (Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on bass) accompanies them. Featured musicians are Harry Allen on tenor saxophone and Mike Melvoin on organ. Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangements.

“Alright, Okay, You Win,” as well as Playing’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues, is available on Apple Music.

For you Peggy Lee fans, here’s her 1958 recording of “Alright, Okay, You Win.”