The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, April 18, 2021, 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 This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Rules of the Road” in 1964 for the album When Lights Are Low, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, consisting of Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

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

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 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 and released it that same year on The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

When In Rome

Listen to When In Rome on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1975.

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

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 9, 2021, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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 this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, featuring a great arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

Rules of the Road

Listen to Rules of the Road on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

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

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Your Number

The song of the day for Saturday, March 6, 2021, is “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Your Number” is from the 1962 Broadway musical Little Me, the second musical that Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh wrote (the first being Wildcat, written for Lucille Ball). Little Me starred Sid Caesar and Virginia Martin, both of whom introduced “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Your Number” for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. The very good arrangement was written by Marty Manning. I especially love the trombone in this recording.

I"ve Got Your Number

Listen to I"ve Got Your Number on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

“I’ve Got Your Number,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 19, 2021, is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

Written in 1958, “It Amazes Me” is one of the non-theatrical popular songs written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Liza Minnelli recorded this song when she was only eighteen years old on her first album. It has also been recorded by Bill Evans, George Shearing, and Cleo Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Amazes Me” in 1959 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. Frank DeVol did the arrangement. Bennett has sung this song at all of the dozen or so concerts of his I’ve attended.

It Amazes Me

Listen to It Amazes Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1958.

“It Amazes Me,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from Apple Music.

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