The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Sunday, August 23, 2026, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American Songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “My Funny Valentine” on February 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, Billy Exiner on drums). The recording was included on A Time For Love, released in 1966.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Lamp Is Low

The song of the day for Saturday, August 22, 2026, is “The Lamp Is Low.”

About This Song

“The Lamp Is Low” was written in 1939 by Peter DeRose and Bert Shefter, based on the Marcel Ravel solo piano composition “Pavane for a Dead Princess.” Mitchell Parish wrote the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Lamp Is Low” on March 15, 1962, for On The Glory Road, the release of which was canceled just days before the intended release. With the release of 2011 Complete Collection, the song is now available.

“The Lamp Is Low,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: This Could Be The Start of Something Big

The song of the day for Friday, August 21, 2026, is “This Could Be the Start of Something Big.”

About This Song

“This Could Be the Start of Something Big” was written by Steve Allen in 1954 for a television musical called The Bachelor. He used as the theme song for his NBC talk show Tonight Starring Steve Allen.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Could Be the Start of Something Big” live on June 9, 1962, at his Carnegie Hall concert. An abbreviated album of the concert, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962, on a 2-LP set; about a dozen songs had to be left out due to space constraints, including “This Could Be the Start of Something Big.” All the those songs were added to the 1995 2-CD release of Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. Ralph Sharon arranged and conducted the entire concert.

“This Could Be the Start of Something Big,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Thursday, August 20, 2026, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Got To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Alec Wilder called “You Got To My Head” “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Got To My Head” on October 14, 1957, for his third LP album, The Beat of My Heart. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as the Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Your Number

The song of the day for is “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Your Number” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh for the 1962 Broadway musical Little Me.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Your Number” on October 19, 1962, for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got Your Number,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.