The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, May 14, 2026, is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1961. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horn, Shirley Horn, Nat King Cole, Anita O’Day, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961, featuring an excellent arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, is “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)”

About This Song

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1964 West End musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Producer David Merrick saw the production in London and decided to bring it to America, starting first with a nationwide tour. Tony Bennett first recorded the song in 1964 and it was a hit for him; this helped bring attention to the musical and helped ensure its success in the US.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah recorded “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

We have the official Vevo video from their recording session.

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Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written by Jimmy Rushing (also known as Mr. Five by Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into to a musical family; his father was trumpet player and his mother a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends. Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangements.

Playin’ With My Friends won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

We have Rushing’s 1941 recorded “Undecided Blues” with Count Basie and His Orchestra.

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Song of the Day: Cheek to Cheek

he song of the day for Monday, May 11, 2026,”Cheek to Cheek.”

About Today

We have another birthday today: Irving Berlin. Israel Isidor Beilin was born in Tyumen, Russia, on May 11, 1988. His family emigrated to the US in 1893, settling in New York. The family name was changed to Berlin when they were naturalized.

You can read more about Irving Berlin at irvingberlin.com.

About This Song

“Cheek to Cheek” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where it was introduced (beautifully) by Fred Astaire. Though the song was nominated for an Academy Award (it lost to “Lullaby Of Broadway”), it became a hit in 1935 and has remained popular to this day. Significant recordings include those by Harry James, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Bing Crosby and many, many more. Fans of the Tom Hanks’ movie The Green Mile might remember this song, as Top Hat is viewed in the prison. For many, it is one of the very first songs that comes to mind when one thinks of Fred Astaire and the 1930s Hollywood musical.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cheek to Cheek” in May 1987 for his tribute to Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin, featuring George Benson on guitar. Bennett wrote the arrangement.

“Cheek to Cheek,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available on Apple Music.

Of course, here are Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing “Cheek to Cheek” from Top Hat.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, May 10, 2026, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to to remember the great Fred Astaire, who was born on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska. His 76-year career was remarkable; Astaire was a dancer, singer, actor, singer, musician, and choreographer. His awards include three Emmy Awards, two Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, a BAFTA award, and an honorary Academy Award.

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder describes it as “a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in July 1993 for Steppin’ Out, Bennett’s tribute to Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

We have the video of Fred Astaire‘s and Cyd Charisse‘s performance of “Dancing in the Dark “from the 1953 film The Band Wagon. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of most beautiful dances ever filmed.