Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga have made a record that wants to prove both stars can swing. Cheek to Cheek is a standards collection, and the whole thing is built around the idea that these two singers share a common musical language. The record runs 18 tracks and 53 minutes, and it moves through a mix of familiar songs and a few deeper cuts, mostly arranged in the order of the original album.
The project is simple on paper. Two singers who have spent decades working in music come together on a set of songs that have been recorded hundreds of times before. What makes it work is the chemistry between the two performers, and that is the point the record keeps returning to.
Opening With Anything Goes
The album starts with “Anything Goes,” a quick, jaunty opener that sets the tone for what follows. It is a song about carefree living, and the performance carries that lightness without ever losing control. It is one of the tracks that critics singled out, and it earns that attention.
“Cheek to Cheek” follows, a slow, steady ballad that asks the listener to sit still and pay attention. The song is about closeness and connection, and the arrangement gives the singers room to breathe without rushing. It is a strong start to the record, even if it does not quite match the energy of the opener.
“Don’t Wait Too Long” is a gentler piece, built around patience and waiting. It is a solid track, though it does not stand out as much as the first two. The song works best as a bridge into the middle of the album, where the record finds its footing.
The Middle Stretch
“I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” is a classic song that has been recorded countless times, and this version leans into its romantic side. The performance is warm and inviting, a good example of the two singers working together to make something familiar feel new again.
“Nature Boy” is a deeper cut, and it is one of the more interesting moments on the record. The song is a meditation on nature and spirituality, and the arrangement gives it a gentle, dreamy quality that fits the subject matter well. It is not a track that will appeal to everyone, but it shows a willingness to take risks.
“Goody Goody” is a shorter, faster track, a quick burst of energy after the slower middle stretch. It is a fun song, but it does not leave much of an impression on its own. The track is better as a small break in the flow than as a standout moment.
“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” is a sad song about loss, and it is one of the strongest tracks on the record. The performance captures the weight of the lyrics without pushing too hard, and it stands as one of the highlights of the album.
“Firefly” is a short, bright track that picks up the pace again. It is a pleasant interlude, though it does not add much beyond its own charm.
“I Won’t Dance” is a funny song about refusing to join in, and it is one of the most entertaining tracks on the record. The performance is playful and energetic, a welcome change of pace after the heavier material earlier in the album.
“They All Laughed” is a short, bitter track about being misunderstood. It is a solid performance, but it does not stay with the listener as long as some of the other songs.
The Back Half
“Lush Life” is a moody, atmospheric track, and it is the other standout that critics singled out. The song is about a life lived in luxury, and the arrangement gives it a dark, smoky quality that suits the lyrics perfectly. It is a strong closer to the middle of the album.
“Sophisticated Lady” is a slower, more elegant track, and it is one of the more polished performances on the record. The song is about confidence and grace, and the singers deliver it with poise.
“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” is a cheerful, upbeat track, a quick burst of energy before the final stretch. It is a good performance, though it does not leave much of an impression on its own.
“But Beautiful” is a sad song about love that fades, and it is one of the more emotionally charged tracks on the record. The performance is tender and moving, a highlight of the back half.
“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” is a quick, swinging track that picks up the pace again. It is a fun song, though it does not add much beyond its own energy.
“On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)” is a hopeful track about clarity, and it is a pleasant performance. It is a solid closer to the album, though it does not leave much of an impression on its own.
“Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” is a funny song about being confused, and it is one of the more entertaining tracks on the record. The performance is playful and energetic, a welcome change of pace after the heavier material earlier in the album.
“The Lady Is a Tramp” closes the album, a classic song about a woman who lives by her own rules. The performance is confident and stylish, a fitting way to end the record.
What Works And What Doesn’t
The strongest parts of Cheek to Cheek are the performances themselves. Bennett and Gaga clearly enjoy singing together, and that enjoyment comes across in every track. The chemistry between the two singers is the reason the record succeeds as often as it does.
The arrangements are mostly clean and straightforward, which works in the record’s favor. There is nothing flashy here, and that restraint keeps the focus on the voices and the songs themselves.
There are a few weak spots. Some of the tracks feel like filler, especially the shorter, lighter pieces that sit between the stronger material. These songs are not bad, but they do not justify their place on a record this long.
Gaga’s occasional tendency to over-sing is also a problem. She has a powerful voice, but she sometimes pushes it harder than the songs need. This is a known issue, and it shows up across the record.
Key Facts Box
- Artist: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
- Release: 2014, standards collection
- Tracks: 18
- Total running time: 53 minutes
- Metacritic score: 64/100
Ranking The Tracks
Here is how the tracks stack up:
- “Anything Goes”
- “Lush Life”
- “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”
- “But Beautiful”
- “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”
- “I Won’t Dance”
- “Sophisticated Lady”
- “They All Laughed”
- “Nature Boy”
- “Goody Goody”
The top three tracks are the ones that critics singled out, and they are the ones that hold up best on repeated listens. The rest of the record is solid but less memorable, and the weaker tracks are the reason the album falls short of greatness.
The Verdict
Cheek to Cheek is a mostly successful record. The chemistry between Bennett and Gaga is genuine, and the performances are often excellent. But the record is too long, and some of the tracks feel like filler. Gaga’s tendency to over-sing occasionally gets in the way, though it is a known issue rather than a surprise.
The record succeeds when it focuses on the songs and lets the chemistry shine through. It fails when it pads itself with tracks that do not earn their place. Overall, it is a record that is best enjoyed in short bursts rather than listened to in full.
- Anything Goes2:04
- Cheek to Cheek2:51
- Don’t Wait Too Long2:36
- I Can’t Give You Anything but Love3:13
- Nature Boy4:08
- Goody Goody2:12
- Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye3:10
- Firefly1:58
- I Won’t Dance3:57
- They All Laughed1:49
- Lush Life4:15
- Sophisticated Lady3:49
- Let’s Face the Music and Dance2:07
- But Beautiful4:04
- It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)2:23
- On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)2:34
- Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered3:07
- The Lady Is a Tramp3:17
