Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

A Reason To Smile

Dan Rather and Team Steady Nov 30

Credit: Getty Images

A word of welcome for those of you new to Steady and a quick note of explanation.

Every Sunday, to escape the often distressing and overwhelming news of the day, we present a musical performance meant to put a smile on your face, called a “Reason to Smile.” We try to choose a song with an interesting backstory and/or a song by interesting artists. Today’s checks both boxes.

Tony Bennett was one of the hardest and longest working men in show business. He began his singing career in 1951. Seventy years later, at the age of 95, he recorded his final album. “Love For Sale” was released four years ago today and is our reason to smile.

“Love for Sale” is a Grammy winning album of duets with Lady Gaga. The duo performs jazz standards by famed composer Cole Porter, to whom the record is a tribute.

Bennett and Gaga met at a New York City fundraiser in 2011 where she was the headliner. He was so impressed with her voice he suggested they record an album together. That album, “Cheek to Cheek,” won a Grammy and launched a friendship.

The two were in a mutual admiration society. “It’s a completely humbling experience to be doing this with Tony,” Gaga said. “Either you got it, and that’s the gift, or you haven’t got it. And you’ve got it,” Bennett told Gaga during an interview for PBS.

By the time they decided to record “Love For Sale” Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Gaga said that when he got in front of a microphone he was his old self, that he hardly missed a lyric. “When that music comes on something happens to him. He knows exactly what he’s doing,” Gaga told “60 Minutes.”

The two even toured to support the album, with their final performance at Radio City Music Hall. When he got on stage, Bennett didn’t miss a beat.

“I think he really pushed through something to give the world the gift of knowing that things can change and you can still be magnificent,” she said.

If you want to enjoy all the songs chosen for A Reason To Smile, you can listen to this Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly.

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Stay Steady,

Dan