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 Wednesday, November 16, 2016 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

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

Today’s version of “The Best Is Yet To Come” is from the 2006 album Duets: An American Classic and features Tony Bennett and Diana Krall.

The Best Is Yet to Come (with Diana Krall)

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


“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Diana Krall the very happiest of birthdays! We saw her at the Monterey Jazz Festival a few years ago and were blown away by her artistry and talent. And we haven’t stopped listening to Wallflower since it came out.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, November 10, 2016 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

While Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh are best-known for their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, their 1961 “The Rules of the Road” was not written for a show. 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 has recorded this song several times. Today I feature the first of those recordings, from 1962 for the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. The great big band arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

Rules of the Road

Tony Bennett · I Left My Heart In San Francisco · Song · 1962


“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 31, 2016 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1960 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Andy Propst, in his recent biography of Coleman, You Fascinate Me So, writes that Coleman was suffering from writer’s block during that period, when Carolyn Leigh was wanting to work on “The Rules of the Road.” When he did find his away around that block, the result was “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Version

When I lead off this month with our tribute to Cy Coleman featuring “The Rules of the Road,” I told you that it was a real favorite of mine. So much so, in fact, I’m closing out the month with the same song — different recording, though.

Today I’m featuring Bennett’s original recording from 1961 for Grammy-winning album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Yes, there are some pretty great songs on that album! The very fine arrangement is by Ralph Burns. The first couple of measures in this recording knock my socks off.

Rules of the Road

Tony Bennett · I Left My Heart In San Francisco · Song · 1962


“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 30, 2016 is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

In the year 2000, 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,” written in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album. It’s worth noting that the inclusion of this song on their album was suggested by Evans, who loved the chord structures. Evans felt that everyone would think the song was Bennett’s idea, due to popular nature of the song. No matter whose idea it was, the result was wonderful.

When In Rome

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


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

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Sunday, August 28, 2016 is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

“It Amazes Me” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1958. Liza Minnelli recorded this song when she was only eighteen years old on her first album. It has also been recorded by Bill Evans, George Shearing and Cleo Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “It Amazes Me” in 1958 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. The arrangement is by Frank DeVol.

It Amazes Me

Listen to It Amazes Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1958


“It Amazes Me,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from iTunes.