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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

October 22, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Sunday, October 22, 2022, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hartfor the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” in July 1973 for the album Tony Bennett More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977.

“Thou Swell,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers and Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee, Larry Hart, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett

September 14, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 15, 2021, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Thou Swell” for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.” It’s a personal favorite of your author.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” with The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet in 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee, Larry Hart, Richard Rodgers, The Ruby Braff / George Barnes Quartet, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings More Rodgers & Hart

June 27, 2018 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Thursday, June 28, 2018 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this really swell song in 1973 for his remarkable Rodgers and Hart songs recorded for two albums, both released under Bennett’s own label, Improv. This song was released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

Why are these songs remarkable? Besides the great material sung by a great singer, The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet was a perfect group for these songs. The group consisted of Braff(cornet), Barnes (guitar), Wayne Wright (also on guitar) and John Guiffrida (bass). No drums, no piano–none of the typical instrumentation for a jazz album. The sound is really perfect, though. I know I return to these songs all the time and I never tire of listening to them.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordidngs, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Richard Rodgers, born on June 28, 1902. In many ways, Rodgers, along with his writing partners, defines the American musical theatre. His history started with Larry Hart, a partnership that lasted from 1919 to 1942. In 1943, Rodgers began his legendary partnership with Oscar Hammerstein. They wrote a string of musicals that are still popular today: Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music, with few more as well. One of Oscar Hammerstein’s last wishes before his death in 1960 was for Rodgers to work with Hammerstein’s protegé, Stephen Sondheim, a significant proponent of the modern American Musical. Rodgers’ daughter, Mary Rodgers, composed the score for Once Upon a Mattress. Mary’s son, Adam Guettel, has carried the torch forward as a musical theatre composer for shows including Light in the Piazza. It’s a remarkable legacy that continues to define the modern American musical.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee, George Barnes, John Guiffrida, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Ruby Braff, Ruby Braff - George Barnes Quartet, Tony Bennett, Wayne Wright

July 3, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Monday, July 4, 2016 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” in 1973 with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet. It was released in 1977 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart on Bennett’s Improv label.

This song has been a favorite of mine since I can remember and this recording is more than swell.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Ruby Braff - George Barnes Quartet, Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart

June 16, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 16, 2015 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Regular readers will know that this song is favorite of this author, due not only to the excellent melody by Rodgers and the clever lyrics by Hart, but also to the charming arrangement and the great joy that Bennett exudes in singing this song. “Thou Swell” is the first cut on Tony Bennett Sings… More Great Rodgers & Hart.

Thine eyes are cute too.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

For those that love this song as much I do, here’s an alternate take:

Thou Swell - Album Version - (Alt. Tk1)

Listen to Thou Swell - Album Version - (Alt. Tk1) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart Songs

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