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 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: Then Was Then And Now Is Now

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 21, 2023, is “Then Was Then And Now Is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then And Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Peggy Lee, in 1964. Miss Peggy Lee released it on an album with the same name in 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 Right To Love

The song of the day for Sunday, September 25, 2022, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written by Lalo Schifrin and Gene Lees. According to the website Film Score Monthly, this song has an interesting history. It was first recorded, without lyrics, in 1963 on an album called Reflections by Stan Getz and Lalo Schifrin. From the beginning, Tony Bennett liked the song 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 sung 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, for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“The Right To Love” is the most searched-for song on this site.

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set is available on Apple Musi

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Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, September 24, 2022, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About This Song

“Fly Me To The Moon” was written in 1954 by Bart Howard. 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 “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. However, 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” on February 18, 1965, for the album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” 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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