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 Monday, November 16, 2020, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Diana Krall, born on November 16, 1964, a very happy birthday!

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 sings it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Diana Krall and Tony Bennett recorded “The Best is Yet to Come” in 2006 for Duets: An American Classic.

The Best Is Yet to Come (with Diana Krall)

Listen to The Best Is Yet to Come (with Diana Krall) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2006.

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

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Saturday, November 7, 2020, 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 “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns. The recording was included on Bennett’s 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, released in 1962.

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: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, October 16, 2020, 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 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for When Lights Are Low. In addition to Sharon on piano, the trio consisted of Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

I have to confess that I love this song. According to my content management system, this is the 21st time I’ve featured this song in the life of the blog. I guess you could say that I do like it a lot.

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

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, September 11, 2020, 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. But as far as I’m concerned, Tony Bennett owns this song.

About This Version

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

“The 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 Wednesday, August 19, 2020, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In the year 2000, in 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 1975 for their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

Bill Evans always wanted it known that it was his idea to use “When In Rome” for this album, as he was interested in the chord progressions in the song. He was concerned that some people might think that Tony had chosen the song, as it often falls into the pop equation for singers.

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

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