The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Friday, October 24, 2025, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I’m In Love Again” was written by Cy Coleman, and Peggy Lee. This is one of the several songs that Peggy Lee wrote with Cy Coleman. Miss Lee used as the title song for her 1964 album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m In Love Again” in July 1995 for his album honoring the great women singers of the 20th century: Here’s To The Ladies, which was released 30 years ago on October 24, 1995. This song honors Miss Peggy Lee, who wrote the lyrics for the song. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’m In Love Again,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Peggy Lee’s 1964 recording of “I’m In Love Again” from her album Miss Peggy Lee In Love Again!

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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: Then Was Then and Now is Now

The song of the day for Monday, May 26, 2025, is “Then Was Then and Now is Now.”

About Today

We are remembering Peggy Lee, born on May 26, 1920, as Norma Deloris Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota. She was a singer as well as songwriter, co-writing over 270 songs.

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now is Now” was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Peggy Lee. She released it on her 1965 album Then Was Then — Now Is Now!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now is Now” on February 18, 1965, for If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then and Now is Now,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Miss Peggy Lee’s recording of “Then Was Then and Now is Now” from 1965:

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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.