The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Baby Dream Your Dream

The song of the day for July 11, 2016 is “Baby Dream Your Dream.”

About This Song

“Baby, Dream Your Dream” was one of the hit songs from the very successful Cy Coleman – Dorothy Fields 1966 musical Sweet Charity, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Gwen Verdon. “Baby, Dream Your Dream” was sung by Helen Gallagher and Thelma Oliver.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Baby, Dream Your Dream” in December, 1965; it was released as a single the next year. This recording was also included on the 1967 album For Once In My Life. The arrangement is by Johnny Mandel.

Baby, Dream Your Dream

Listen to Baby, Dream Your Dream on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Baby Dream Your Dream,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 14, 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

Tony Bennett first recorded “The Best Is Yet To Come” in 1960 and released it as a single that same year. It was arranged by the composer, Cy Coleman.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet To Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


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

About Today

Today we honor the great songwriter Cy Coleman, who was born on June 14, 1929 in New York. Coleman was a gifted jazz pianist, cabaret artist and composer. His Broadway musicals include Little Me, Sweet Charity, On The Twentieth Century, Barnum and City of Angels.

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Sunday, February 21, 2012 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” was written by the terrific song writing pair Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Composed in 1959, 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 is the first, recorded in 1960, and the best. It was initially released as single in 1960 and included on the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. The terrific arrangement is by the composer, Cy Coleman.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet To Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


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

About Today

Our song of the day, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” is dedicated to my Year of Tony Bennett co-conspirator. And believe me, the best is coming.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, February 4, 2016 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Rules of the Road,” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. While Coleman and Leigh may be best-known for their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, “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

Well, here we are a full 4 1/2 weeks into the new year and I have yet to feature my favorite song: “The Rules of the Road.” Today, I’m featuring Bennett’s first recording, made in 1961 and released in 1962 on his album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, which also features another pretty popular song from Tony Bennett. “The Rules of the Road” was arranged by Ralph Burns and features a great big band, which included Milt Hinton on bass, Urbie Green on trombone and Eddie Costa on vibes. It’s a terrific, bold and muscular arrangement.

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 Sunday, November 15, 2015 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Rules of the Road,” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. While Coleman and Leigh are best-known for their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, “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

I absolutely love this song when it’s sung by Tony Bennett. And this version, recorded with the Ralph Sharon Trio (with Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass) in 1964 for When Lights Are Low is far and away my favorite of all his recordings of “The Rules of the Road.”

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


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