The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Friday, February 7, 2025, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse for the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled The World” on February 19, 1965, for the album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“If I Ruled The World,” 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: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 4, 2024, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled The World” on February 19, 1965, for his album If I Ruled the World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the very fine arrangement.

“If I Ruled The World,” 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: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Saturday, April 15, 2023, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse for the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled The World” on February 19, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Don Costa wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“If I Ruled The World,” 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: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Thursday, September 22, 2022, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse for the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick, and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway, produced by David Merrick. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled The World” on February 19, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. The arrangement was written by Don Costa.

“If I Ruled The World,” 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: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Thursday, October 21, 2021, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About Today

Today we are honoring lyricist Leslie Bricusse, who died on October 19, 2021, at the age of 90. Obituaries: New York Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Times (UK), and The Guardian.

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written in 1963 by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse for the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick, and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled The World” in 1965 for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, featuring an excellent Don Costa arrangement.

If I Ruled the World

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

“If I Ruled The World,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set is available on Apple Music.