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, August 14, 2020, 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” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. The song was arranged by Don Costa.

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

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Friday, June 19, 2020, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written in 1938 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse It pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and a rather somber lyric by Hart: in other words, a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling In Love With Love” in 1965 for the album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. The song wasn’t released on the original 1965 LP, but was added to the 1997 CD release. This song, as well as the rest of the album, features an arrangement by Don Costa.

“Falling In Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Thursday, June 11, 2020, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written originally as an instrumental piece by Lalo Schifrin; it was first recorded, without lyrics, in 1963 on an album called Reflections by Stan Getz and Lalo Schifrin. Tony Bennett liked the song from the beginning and suggested that Gene Lees write the lyrics. The resulting song is an anthem for “forbidden” love. At that time, most people associated the song with interracial relationships; in later years, it has been adopted by gay singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and k.d. lang.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Right To Love” on February 18, 1965, and released in 1965 on the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. It was arranged by Don Costa.

“The Right To Love” is the most-searched-for song on our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then, Now is Now

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 2, 2020, is “Then Was Then, Now is Now.”

About Today

This week, jazz and pop fans have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Miss Peggy Lee, born as Norma Deloris Egstrom in North Dakota on May 26, 1920.

About This Song

Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee wrote “Then Was Then, Now is Now” in 1964; Miss Lee recorded it for her 1964 album of the same name.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then, Now is Now” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then, 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: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Monday, June 1, 2020, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the composer of today’s song, Bart Howard, who was born on June 1, 1915, in Burlington, Iowa. He began his career as an accompanist at the age of 16 and played for Mabel Mercer, Johnny Mathis, and Eartha Kitt, among others. He is best known for “Fly Me To The Moon” and used to say that he lived off this song. As well he should; it’s a wonderful song.

About This Song

Bart Howard wrote “Fly Me To The Moon” in 1954. It was originally titled “In Other Words,” but the song was not doing that well, in spite of several recordings. In 1962, Howard renamed the song to “Fly Me To The Moon,” and the song began to catch on. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording for If I Ruled The World was a big hit for Bennett. There have been many recordings of the song, including those by Frank Sinatra, Kaye Ballard, and many more. Bart Howard told Bennett that his 1965 recording was “the definitive performance of this song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fly Me To The Moon” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the very good arrangement. Featured are The Will Bronson Chorus and Al Cohn on tenor saxophone.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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