The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then And Now Is Now

The song of the day for February 13, 2014 is “Then Was Then And Now Is Now.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by the great Miss Peggy Lee. Miss Lee made the first recording for her album of the same name.

About This Version

We return to our album of the month: If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set for our song of the day. “Then Was Then And Now Is Now” is seventh cut on the album and, in its original LP release, the first song on the second side of the album.

Then Was Then And Now Is Now

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965

“Then Was Then And 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 Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, January 4, 2015 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1961 by the songwriting team of Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, “The Rules of the Road” has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Today’s version is Bennett’s first recording of “The Rules of the Road.” The excellent 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 the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Your Number

The song of the day for Sunday, December 28, 2014 is “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Your Number” is from the 1962 Broadway musical Little Me, the second musical that Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh wrote (the first being Wildcat, written for Lucille Ball). Little Me starred Sid Caesar and Virginia Martin, both of whom introduced “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Your Number” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around. This song was arranged by Marty Manning.

I"ve Got Your Number

Listen to I"ve Got Your Number on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“I’ve Got Your Number,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 25, 2014 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. While this pair 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, but as a stand-alone popular song. 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. For this author, though, Tony Bennett totally owns this song.

About This Version

While Tony Bennett has recorded this song several times, I think the first is his best (though the 1964 version on When Lights Are Low is awfully good too). Recorded in 1961, “The Rules of the Road” was included on his Grammy Award winning album I Left My Heart in San Francisco, released in 1962.

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 Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Thursday, November 6, 2014 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

“The Best Is Yet To Come” was 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 is the earliest released on an album; in 1962 on I Left My Heart In San Francisco. The orchestra was conducted by Cy Coleman himself.

About Today

I am rather over the moon tonight. I just returned from Mr. Bennett’s concert in Portland, Oregon tonight. He was in wonderful voice and looked and sounded as happy as can be, and never more so than when he sang this song. I love the last line when he sings “out of the tree of life, I just picked me a plum” and then gives a big thumbs-up to the audience. It never fails to make me as happy as I can be.

The Best Is Yet to Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet to Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” is available from iTunes.