The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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: Home is the Place

The song of the day for Thursday, May 30, 2024, is “Home is the Place.”

About This Song

“Home is the Place” was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. After their collaboration on the 1959 musical Gypsy, Jule 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. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“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: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Thursday, May 23, 2024, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and was 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 of 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” on May 22, 1968, for the 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: Get Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 6, 2023, is “Get Happy.”

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1930 for the The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful song and dance performance in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” on May 22, 1968, for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arangement.

“Get Happy,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available on Apple Music.

If you need some help to get happy, I recommend Judy Garland from Summer Stock:

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Thursday, October 19, 2023, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written in 1936 by George and Ira Gershwin. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and were 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” on May 22, 1968, for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. It was arranged and conducted by Torrie Zito.

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