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 Thursday, May 14, 2026, 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 Horn, Shirley Horn, Nat King Cole, Anita O’Day, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961, featuring an excellent arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

“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: Then Was Then and Now Is Now

The song of the day for Sunday, April 19, 2026, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About Today

Sixty-one years ago on April 19, 1965, Columbia Records released one of most favorite Tony Bennett albums, If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set.

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee. Lee released it on an album of the same name in 1965.

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.

And here is Miss Peggy Lee singing her own song on Then Was Then (and Now Is Now).

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 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, many 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 The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

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

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “When In Rome” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Thursday, March 12, 2026, is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. It was written as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy (which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Firefly,” with Count Basie and His Orchestra, on December 23, 1978, for their second album, In Person! released in 1959.  Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement; I especially  liked the flute.

Originally, It was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the original planned title, In Person!.

“Firefly,” as well as In Person, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

Tony Bennett recorded “Firefly” six times in his career. Four were singles; the other two were duets: one with Kermit the Frog (The Playground, 1998) and Lady Gaga (Cheek To Cheek, 2014).

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “Firefly” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

The John Pizzarelli Trio made a video for “Firefly.”

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

“It Amazes Me” was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. The song has been recorded by several artists, including Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Blossom Dearie, and John Pizzarelli.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version live on June 9, 1962. It was released on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall in August 1962. Ralph Sharon was the musical director and conductor for this album.

“It Amazes Me,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

Tony Bennett regularly sang “It Amazes Me” at his concerts.

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “It Amazes Me” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.