The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Can’t Get Out Of This Mood

The song of the day for Thursday, July 25, 2024, is “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.”

About This Song

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” was written by Jimmy McHugh (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for the 1942 wartime musical, Seven Day’s Leave. This torch song was introduced in the movie by Ginny Simms, with the Freddy Martin Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” on January 12, 1967, for his album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. Evans continued to work with Bennett for many years, ending with his arrangements for Bennett’s last album, Love For Sale, released in 2021.

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 30, 2024, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1930 for Lew Leslie’s International Revue. The song was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” on January 27, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted too.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Thursday, February 8, 2024, is “The Lady’s In Love With You.”

About This Song

“The Lady’s In Love With You” was written by Burton Lane (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for the 1939 film Some Like It Hot (not to be confused with the excellent 1959 Billy Wilder film), where it was introduced by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. It’s been widely recorded, including those by Tony Bennett, Glenn Miller, Margaret Whiting, and Michael Feinstein.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Lady’s In Love With You” on January 12, 1967, for his album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans arranged the album and conducted the orchestra.

“The Lady’s In Love With You,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, January 18, 2024, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for
the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” 57 years ago today on January 18, 1967, for his album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans arranged and conducted the entire album. It was the first time they worked together; Bennett and Evans continued to work throughout Bennett’s career, including the albums Duets II, Cheek To Cheek, and Love For Sale.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Saturday, November 25, 2023, is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1928 by Neil Moret and Richard Whiting. This charming song is sung from the point of view of the young lover who is kind of amazed that the woman he loves seems to love him, in spite of his faults.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Funny That Way” on January 18, 1967, for the album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.