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 Wednesday, January 15, 2025, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee in 1964. Lee made the first recording of the song in 1964, which appeared on her album Then Was Then and Now Is Now, released in January 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now Is Now” on February 18, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, December 27. 2024, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” on April 6. 1961; Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement. The song was released on Bennett’s 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

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

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Song of the Day: The Best is Yet to Come

The song of the day for Saturday, November 16, 2024, is “The Best is Yet to Come.”

About Today

We are celebrating the great Diana Krall on her birthday. She was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada on November 16, 1964. She started learning piano at the age of four. In high school she played in the student jazz group while playing professionally in local restaurants. Krall studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She recorded her first album in 1992. She collaborated with Tony Bennett on Duets: An American Classic and Duets II. In 2018, Krall and Bennett released Love Is Here To Stay, consisting of songs written by George Gershwin.

Happy Birthday to Diana Krall!

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 sang it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “The Best is Yet to Come” on February 15, 2006, for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“The Best is Yet to Come,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, September 19, 2024, is “Rules of the Road.”

About Today

Today is your author’s birthday, and so I am featuring my most favorite Tony Bennett: “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“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 “Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961. It was initially released as a single and added to his 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Your Number

The song of the day for Friday, June 14, 2024, is “I’ve Got Your Number.”

About Today

We are remembering Cy Coleman, who was born ninety-five years ago on June 14, 1929. You can read more about Cy Coleman here.

About This Song

“I’ve Got Your Number” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh for 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” on October 19, 1962, for his album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got Your Number” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.