The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 6, 2023, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Got To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Alec Wilder called “You Got To My Head” “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Go To My Head” on October 14, 1957. It was an outtake for the original release of The Beat of My Heart in 1957, but was included on the 1997 re-release of the album. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon. The Beat of My Heart featured a number of percussionists as guest artists; in addition to Bennett’s regular drummer Billy Exiner, Sabu and Candido were featured on this recording.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: De Glory Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 30, 2021, is “De Glory Road.”

About Today

Today’s marks the end of our deep dive into Tony Bennett’s legendary concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. It’s been a pleasure to explore these songs so deeply — I hope you’ve enjoyed it as well.

About This Song

“De Glory Road” was written in 1928, with music by Jacques Wolfe and lyrics by Clement Wood. De Glory Road began as a poem written by a white, socialist, native Alabamian lawyer and writer named Clement Wood, who published the poem in 1928. Wood is also the author of the Clement Wood Rhyming Dictionary, the 1939 edition of which is Stephen Sondheim’s preferred rhyming dictionary.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “De Glory Road” in March 1962 for the album On The Glory Road; however, the release of that album was canceled at the very last minute. Bennett decided to close out his Carnegie Hall concert with this song and invited percussionist Candido to play on this song.

In his autobiography The Good Life, Bennett relates his choice of “De Glory Road” to close the concert.

I needed something really special to close with. I’d start out with old favorites, but I wanted to end with something that nobody had ever heard me sing before, something unexpected. Tony Tamburello suggested the spiritual “Glory Road.” Candido added to the success of “Glory Road” by playing a wonderful solo in the middle of it that drove the crowd wild.

“De Glory Road,” as well as the other songs Tony Bennett sang are captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.

“De Glory Road,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love For Sale

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 5, 2020, is “Love For Sale.”

About This Song

“Love For Sale” was written by Cole Porter in 1930 for his Broadway musical The New Yorkers. The song was sung by a prostitute advertising her services. The song was considered rather scandalous at the time. In fact, for the production of The New Yorkers, it was supposed to be sung by the white star Kathryn Crawford, but the song was assigned to an African-American singer instead. In spite of being banned from play on the radio, “Love For Sale” has had many fine recordings, including those by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Miles Davis

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love For Sale” in 1957 for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. Ralph Sharon had just been hired as Bennett’s pianist and musical director; together they conceived the album. In addition to creating a very good jazz band for the album, they brought in percussionists to play as well. “Love for Sale” featured Candido, Sabu, and Bennett’s regular drummer, Billy Exiner.

Love for Sale

Listen to Love for Sale on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.

“Love For Sale,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love For Sale

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 11, 2018, is “Love For Sale.”

About This Song

“Love For Sale” was written by Cole Porter in 1930 for the Broadway musical The New Yorkers. The song was sung by a prostitute advertising her services and was considered rather scandalous at the time. In fact, for the production of The New Yorkers, it was supposed to be sung by the white star Kathryn Crawford, but the song was assigned to an African-American singer instead. In spite of being banned from play on the radio, “Love For Sale” has had many fine recordings, including those by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love For Sale” for his 1957 album The Beat of My Heart. This album featured noted percussionists and drummers; this recording featured Candido, Sabu, and Bennett’s regular drummer Billy Exiner.

Love for Sale

Love for Sale, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Love For Sale,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: De Glory Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 27, 2018 is “De Glory Road.”

About This Song

“De Glory Road began” as a poem written by a white, socialist lawyer and writer from Alabama named Clement Wood, who published the poem in 1928. Wood is also the author of the Clement Wood Rhyming Dictionary, the 1939 edition of which is Stephen Sondheim’s preferred rhyming dictionary. Jacques Wolfe wrote the music.

About This Version

Tony Bennett had recorded songs for an album to be released in 1962 called On The Glory Road. The album was ready to be distributed when, at the last moment and for reasons known only to themselves, Columbia executives decided to hold up release. Bennett so chose to close out his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall with “De Glory Road,” which was the behind the title of that non-released album. This wonderful performance features the percussionist Candido. This recording can be found on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.


“De Glory Road,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

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