Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Thursday, May 2, 2024, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating Lorenz Milton Hart, who was born 129 years ago on May 2, 1895. Larry Hart, the lyricist for today’s song, worked with Richard Rodgers starting in 1919, a partnership that continued until Hart’s death on November 22, 1942, from alcoholism. Their last new show was Jupiter, which opened in mid-1942. In 1943, they had guided a revival of A Connecticut Yankee, which opened in November 1943. Hart did not show up on opening night. He was found ill in his hotel room and died a few days later.

About This Song

“I Could Write a Book” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day. and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet for the album Tony Bennett sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.