The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Play It Again, Sam

The song of the day for is “Play It Again, Sam.”

About This Song

“Play It Again, Sam” was written by Larry Grossman and Hal Hackaday for Woody Allen’s 1969 play also named Play It Again, Sam, where a nebbish film reviewer is coached in his lackluster love life with tips from his alter ego, Humphrey Bogart. The play starred Allen, Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts, all of whom reprised their roles in the 1972 film version. And, to be clear, no one ever said “play it again, Sam” in the film Casablanca.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Play It Again, Sam” on March 27, 1969, for his album I’ve Gotta Be Me. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Play It Again, Sam,” as well as I’ve Gotta Be Me, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Home is the Place

The song of the day for Friday, June 13, 2025, is “Home is the Place.”

About This Song

“Home is the Place” was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim in 1960. After Gypsy opened in 1959, Styne expressed an interest in their continuing to work together, resulting in “Home is the Place” and “Come Over Here.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Home is the Place” on April 16, 1968, for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain, featuring an arrangement by Torrie Zito. Based on my research, this appears to be the only recording of “Home is the Place.”

“Home is the Place,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Cole Porter Medley

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, is “Cole Porter Medley.”

About This Song

“Cole Porter Medley” is the recorded version of a medley of Cole Porter songs that Tony Bennett regularly did in concert in the 1960s and 1970s. The medley, which is nearly 14 minutes long, contains these Cole Porter songs:

  • What Is This Thing Called Love
  • Love for Sale
  • I’m In Love Again
  • You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To
  • Easy To Love
  • It’s Alright With Me
  • Night and Day
  • Dream Dancing
  • I’ve Got You Under My Skin
  • Get Out of Town
  • What Is This Thing Called Love (reprise)

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cole Porter Medley” in the early 1970s, with an arrangement by Torrie Zito. Bennett had just returned from the road and wanted to finally recorded the medley, which Columbia Records was never interested in his time there until resigned. He and Zito set up a recording session and an orchestra to record the medley. Though they had set it up for the day, the first take was so good that they ended the session. Tony Bennett took the whole crew and orchestra out for a fantastic meal after that perfect take.

Cole Porter Medley” was released on 2003 on the Concord release of Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful.”

“Cole Porter Medley,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Thursday, May 22, 2025, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was one of the first songs written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936 when they first came to Hollywood and slated for the movie Shall We Dance featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs for filming the sequence. The song faded from then and was only published in 1967. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” 57 years ago today on May 22, 1967, for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 15, 2025, is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for the Motown Records’ Jobete publishing company. This song not only found success as a Motown song, with recordings by Stevie Wonder and Jean duShon, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “For Once In My Life” on July 18, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“For Once In My Life,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.