The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Saturday, June 14, 2025, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About Today

We are celebrating the late Cy Coleman on the anniversary of his birth in New York City on June 14, 1929.

About This Song

“The Best Is Yet To Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sang it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Best Is Yet To Come” on July 30, 1960, and was released as a single that year. Cy Coleman wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 6, is available on Apple Music.

I found a great video from 2006 television program for Duets: An American Classic with Tony and Diana Krall performing the song. Plus some really groovy choreography!

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Monday, April 21, 2025, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In the year 2000, as part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which are songs that Tony Bennett has recorded, including “When In Rome.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in June 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, released on the Fantasy label.

“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 26, 2025, is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1961. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About These Versions

It’s no secret that “Rules of the Road” is one of my favorite songs sung by Tony Bennett. He made two studio recordings of the song, and after some consideration, I decided to include both recordings. They are quite different and both are excellent in their own way.

He first recorded the song on April 6, 1961; it was released as a single and later added to his 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

He recorded it again on March 26, 1964, with The Ralph Sharon Trio, for When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, December 27. 2024, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1961. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” on April 6. 1961; Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement. The song was released on Bennett’s 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Best is Yet to Come

The song of the day for Saturday, November 16, 2024, is “The Best is Yet to Come.”

About Today

We are celebrating the great Diana Krall on her birthday. She was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada on November 16, 1964. She started learning piano at the age of four. In high school she played in the student jazz group while playing professionally in local restaurants. Krall studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She recorded her first album in 1992. She collaborated with Tony Bennett on Duets: An American Classic and Duets II. In 2018, Krall and Bennett released Love Is Here To Stay, consisting of songs written by George Gershwin.

Happy Birthday to Diana Krall!

About This Song

“The Best is Yet to Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sang it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “The Best is Yet to Come” on February 15, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“The Best is Yet to Come,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.