The song of the day for Friday, June 18, 2021, is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1958 as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy. Jule Styne and a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim wound up writing that score.

About This Version

Tony Bennett made two recordings of “Firefly” in 1958: A single with an arrangement by Ray Ellis and with Count Basie for the album In Person! Bennett sang “Firefly” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

“Firefly,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

The song of the day for Thursday, June 17, 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 first recorded “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns; the song was included on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. In 1964, he recorded it again with The Ralph Sharon Trio on When Lights Are Low and sang it live at his appearance at The Sahara, a captured on Tony Bennett Live At The Sahara: From This Moment On. He performed “The Rules of the Road” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

Regular readers probably know that this is one of my favorite songs recorded by Tony Bennett. Each of his four recordings (2 live, 2 studio) is quite different, but all are excellent. This version is a real pip!

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.