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 Sunday, April 18, 2021, 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 Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Rules of the Road” in 1964 for the album When Lights Are Low, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, consisting of Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sweet Georgie Fame

The song of the day for Saturday, April 17, 2021, is “Sweet Georgie Fame.”

About This Song

“Sweet Georgie Fame” was written in 1967 Blossom Dearie and Sandra Harris. Dearie told The New York Times in 1981 “I was in London in 1966, when a bass player told me I should go hear the skiffle, rock, blues and jazz singer Georgie Fame, He said I’d like him, and I did – very much. Then I was visiting a friend, where Georgie Fame’s records were on, and her kids were dancing to them. I got a melody from that, and my friend’s sister, Sandra Black (Harris) wrote words to it.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sweet Georgie Fame” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Sweet Georgie Fame

Listen to Sweet Georgie Fame on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Sweet Georgie Fame,” as well as Yesterday I Heard Rain, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Thursday, April 15, 2021, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1938 for the Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse, pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and a rather somber lyric by Hart: in other words, a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling In Love With Love” in 1965, with an arrangement by Don Costa. It was originally planned for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, but wasn’t included on the 1965 LP; it was included on the 1997 CD re-release of the album.

Falling In Love With Love

Listen to Falling In Love With Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“Falling In Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 14, 2021, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written by Jimm Van Heusen and Johnny Burke in 1939. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Noom” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Oh! You Crazy Moon

Listen to Oh! You Crazy Moon on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 13, 2021, is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was written by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey, and Irving Caesar, for the 1927 musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sometimes I’m Happy” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road. The album was ready to be released when Columbia cancelled the album. Thankfully, it was included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

Sometimes I’m Happy

Listen to Sometimes I’m Happy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

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