The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Friday, May 12, 2017 is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In the year 2000, as part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which are songs that Tony Bennett has recorded, including “When In Rome.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album. Evans said it was him that picked this song, as he loved the harmonic structure of the music.

When In Rome

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

The song of the day for Thursday, May 11, 2017 is “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote this song for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; the song was introduced by Mr. Astaire. The film is widely considered to be one of the best of the RKO Astaire and Rogers films; the American Film Institute ranked it 15th on its list of best musicals.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” in 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out, which consisted of songs associated with Fred Astaire. It’s a fun album, just like this song.

Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

Listen to Top Hat, White Tie and Tails on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we honor the memory of Irving Berlin, who was born on May 11, 1888 as Israel Isidore Baline in the town of Tolochin in Belarus, part of the Russian Empire. His father was a cantor and like many other Jewish families, sought refuge in the United States, specifically in New York’s Lower East Side. From these humble beginnings, Berlin grew into one of America’s greatest songwriters.

Happy Birthday, Irving Berlin!

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 10, 2017 is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics from Adolph Green and Betty Comden, in 1944 for the Broadway musical On The Town, the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end of the show by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony Bennett and Bill Evans from their 1975 album The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album. It’s my favorite song from this album and is one of my favorite songs ever. I actually have a “Some Other Time” playlist on my iPod and I love each and every version. But this one is my favorite.

Some Other Time

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: We’ll Be Together Again

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 9, 2017 is “We’ll Be Together Again.”

About This Song

“We’ll Be Together Again” was written by Carl T. Fischer, who was Frankie Laine’s pianist and musical director, in 1945. Fischer asked Laine to write the lyrics, which he quite nicely did. In addition to the recording by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, this song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Frankie Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “We’ll Be Together Again” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album

We"ll Be Together Again

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“We’ll Be Together Again,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Sunday, May 7, 2017 is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “That Ole Devil Called Love,” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Composer Doris Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” She often wrote with Allan Robert and was also a talented singer and performer. Her other songs include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in June 1996 for his tribute album to the Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday.

That Ole Devil Called Love

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today is the 102nd anniversary of Billie Holiday, who was born on May 7, 1915. Her official website can be viewed at billyholiday.com.

Here’s Lady Day’s recording of “That Ole Devil Called Love” from 1944:

That Ole Devil Called Love - Single Version

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love - Single Version on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday · 1995

A few years ago, I got a note from someone who was viewing our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography. He state that of all the tributes to Billie Holiday, no singer ever got closer to the real Billie than Tony Bennett did on Tony Bennett On Holiday. As one who listens to both artists frequently (and very closely), that reader was absolutely correct.

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