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 Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 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” for his 1965 album “If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. It was arranged and conducted by Don Costa.

If I Ruled the World

Listen to If I Ruled the World on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“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: Watch What Happens

The song of the day for Friday, November 6, 2020, is “Watch What Happens.”

About This Song

“Watch What Happens” was written by Michel Legrand for the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The original French lyrics were written by Jacques Demy, who also directed the film. The English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of the song, other than the film soundtrack, and the first in English.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Watch What Happens” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

Watch What Happens

Listen to Watch What Happens on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“Watch What Happens,” 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: 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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