The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Monday, March 21, 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” in 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: Two By Two

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 9, 2022, is “Two By Two.”

About This Song

“Two By Two” was written by Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim for the musical Do I Hear A Waltz?, which opened in 1965, although the song was cut from the score before the show opened. Oscar Hammerstein, Rodgers’s writing partner and Sondheim’s mentor, said as he was dying that he wanted the two of them to work together on a project. Unfortunately, the partnership was not good for either of them and the production was not well-received by the critics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Two By Two” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. It was arranged and conducted by Don Costa.

“Two By Two,” 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: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 26, 2022, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling In Love With Love” in 1965 in sessions for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, but was not released on the original LP album. Instead, it was released on the 1997 CD re-release of the album. Don Costa wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Falling In Love With Love,” 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: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 25, 2022, is “How Insensitive.”

About Today

We are very pleased to honor Antônio Carlos Jobim, who was born in Rio de Janeiro on January 25, 1927. Jobim popularized bossa nova to the world, including today’s song “How Insensitive” or “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese.

About This Song

Antônio Carlos Jobim wrote “How Insensitive” in 1963, with the Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes. Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” on February 18, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. It was released in 1965 on the album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set.

“How Insensitive,” 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 Now and Now is Now

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 4. 2021, is “Then Was Now and Now is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Now and Now is Now” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee. Miss Lee sang it on an album of the same name in 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Now and 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 Now 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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