The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, April 20, 2014 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, “The Rules of the Road” was not written for a show. The song was written in 1961. 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. But as far as I’m concerned, Tony Bennett completely owns this song.

About This Version

Yes, this may very well be my favorite Tony Bennett song. A few months ago, I featured the version from I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Today’s version is from When Lights Are Low. No big orchestra, no big brassy open. Just Ralph Sharon, Billy Exiner and Hal Gaylord. It’s intimate and personal. And kind of wonderful.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3Ym1D0K9Qk4PTK2Iw2Z6It
“The Rules of the Road,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Your Number

The song of the day for Monday, April 15, 2014 is “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Your Number” is from the 1962 musical Little Me. Based on a novel by Patrick Dennis, Little Me: The Intimate Memoirs of that Great Star of State, Screen and Television / Belle Poitrine, an autobiography of an imaginary diva. The script for the musical was written by Neil Simon, who enlisted the songwriting team of Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh to write the score and Bob Fosse as choreographer. The production starred Virginia Martin and Nancy Andrews as Young Belle and Old Belle and, in what must have been a remarkable tour de force, Sid Caesar as all of the men in Belle’s life. Martin and Caesar introduced “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Your Number” in October 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around, which was released in 1963. The song was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning and produced by Ernie Altschuler.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3pXVyrs7lh9X5tSgcASIUB
“I’ve Got Your Number,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, 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, February 27, 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. This song is widely associated with Tony Bennett; some say that Coleman and Leigh wrote the song for him. Other great recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Blossom Dearie.

About This Version

Today’s version of “The Best is Yet to Come” is the original version, recorded in 1960 and released in 1961. It was produced by Ernie Altschuler.

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 of the singles on The Columbia Singles, Volume 6, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’m In Love Again

The song of the day for Monday, January 27, 2014, is “I’m In Love Again.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee, with Bill Schulger, in 1963. It was originally recorded by Peggy Lee for her 1964 album of the same name; other recordings of this song include those by Blossom Dearie and Barbara Carroll.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song for his 1995 album Here’s To The Ladies, in which he performs song associated with the great female singers, including Judy Garland, Blossom Dearie, Rosemary Clooney and many more. Today’s song, “I’m In Love Again,” is for Peggy Lee, who co-wrote the song. To view the liner notes for this album and to find out which songs on the album are associated with which singers, please visit the topic for Here’s to The Ladies on our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2vZyZrgBS7tu9ClaUOr5g5
“I’m In Love Again,” as well as the album Here’s To The Ladies, 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, January 6, 2014 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 many of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. But as far as your opinionated author is concerned, Tony Bennett owns this song.

About This Version

Today’s version is Tony Bennett’s first recording of “The Best Is Yet To Come,” from 1960, when it was released as a single. He used it on his wildly popular 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

“The Best Is Yet To Come” is dedicated to a dear friend who celebrated an important birthday yesterday. Indeed, the best is yet to come.

http://open.spotify.com/track/463wvwQJ7DJCvBvbvD55xz
“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available from iTunes.