The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Friday, June 26, 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, 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” for their first album, the 1975 The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“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: Then Was Then, Now is Now

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 2, 2020, is “Then Was Then, Now is Now.”

About Today

This week, jazz and pop fans have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Miss Peggy Lee, born as Norma Deloris Egstrom in North Dakota on May 26, 1920.

About This Song

Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee wrote “Then Was Then, Now is Now” in 1964; Miss Lee recorded it for her 1964 album of the same name.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then, Now is Now” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then, Now is Now,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Monday, May 18, 2020, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

“The Best Is Yet To Come” was written in 1960 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. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Best Is Yet To Come” in 1960 and was released as a single that year. The recording was also released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. It was arranged by Cy Coleman.

“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 6, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, May 17, 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “The Rules of the Road” at The Sahara, taped for the album Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 4, 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 for his album When Lights Are Low. Accompanying Bennett was the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

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