The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Wish I Were In Love Again

The song of the day for Sunday, August 17, 2025, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I Wish I Were In Love Again” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lary Hart for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. It was a favorite song of Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Stacey Kent, and Joni Mitchell.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in June 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977. The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet accompanied Bennett for this album.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again” as well as , is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where or When

The song of the day for Thursday, April 10, 2025, is “Where or When.”

About This Song

“Where or When” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 musical Babes In Arms. Benny Goodman recorded “Where or When” in 1941 with a very young Peggy Lee. It is a favorite song of many vocalists and has had many fine recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Ralph Sharon, recorded “Where or When” on October 28, 1959. On that day, Sharon brought a briefcase full of sheet music, and in a single session, they recorded sixteen songs in only one or two takes, twelve of which were used for the album Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1961.

“Where or When,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Monday, October 28, 2024, is “The song of the day for is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied only Ralph Sharon piano, recorded “My Funny Valentine” 66 years ago today on October 28, 1958, for Tony Sings For Two, which was released in early 1961.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 25, 2024, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1937 for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” in 2011 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video of the recording session:

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Song of the Day: I Wish I Were In Love Again

The song of the day for Saturday, March 15, 2024, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About Today

We are remembering Ruby Braff on the anniversary of his birth on March 16, 1927. Braff was a noted cornet and trumpet player. Braff, with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, played for Tony Bennett’s two albums of Rodgers and Hart songs: Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs and Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, both released on Bennett’s own Improv label in 1973.

About This Song

“I Wish I Were In Love Again” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. It was a favorite song of Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Audra McDonald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet (Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass), for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart, released in 1973.

In 1973 Tony Bennett and The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet did a concert at Alice Tully Hall in New York. Whitney Balliett wrote a profile essay called “A Quality That Lets You In” for the January 7, 1974, issue of The New Yorker. Here’s an excerpt:

The concert at Alice Tully the next evening is billed as “An Evening with Rodgers and Hart,” and it is a smooth and engaging success. The hall is sold out, and the audience is hip. Bennett sings the verses of most of the songs and by the time he gets a note or two into the chorus there is the applause of recognition. He sings twenty-one Rodgers-and-Hart tunes, and many are memorable. He sings a soft, husky “Blue Moon,” and then comes a muted Ruby Braff solo. “There’s a Small Hotel” is even softer, and Braff and George Barnes react with pianissimo statements. The group, indeed, is impeccable. The solos are beautiful and the dynamics all anticipate Bennett’s. He does “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” as an encore. The ovation is long and standing.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.