The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Thursday, January 8, 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

One of the first projects that Tony Bennett did on his Improv label in the 1970s after leaving Columbia was to get together with The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet to sing the songs of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass was, to say the least, an unusual combo — no piano! no drums! — but they were the perfect group for Tony’s voice and these songs. Released on two different albums, I believe that these songs represent Tony Bennett at his very, very best. Every single song is perfect. And none more so than this favorite song of mine: “Thou Swell.”

About Today

It’s no secret to my readers that there are some songs and albums of Tony Bennett that I love with a passion: “The Rules of the Road,” the live recording of the concert at Carnegie Hall, and just about anything by Rodgers and Hart. It’s been a while since I did one of their songs; I hope you enjoy it!

Thou Swell

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


“Thou Swell,” as well as all the albums recorded on the Improv label, is available from iTunes.

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