The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Thursday, April 15, 2021, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1938 for the Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse, 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, with an arrangement by Don Costa. It was originally planned for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, but wasn’t included on the 1965 LP; it was included on the 1997 CD re-release of the album.

Falling In Love With Love

Listen to Falling In Love With Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“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 Monday, March 22, 2021, is “The Right to Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written by Lalo Schifrin in 1963; the lyrics by Gene Lees were added later. 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. 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 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” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. It was arranged by Don Costa.

The Right To Love

Listen to The Right To Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“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: Spring In Manhattan

The song of the day for Sunday, March 21, 2021, is “Spring In Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Spring In Manhattan” was written by Anthony Scibetta and Alice Reach in 1963. Blossom Dearie, a friend of Scibetta, introduced Tony Bennett to Scibetta. Tony Bennett said in the liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett that “It was refreshing to hear someone say something good about New York, so I decided to record it.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring In Manhattan” in 1963 for his album The Many Moods Of Tony, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa.

Spring In Manhattan

Listen to Spring In Manhattan on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Spring In Manhattan,” as well as The Many Moods Of Tony, is available from Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Friday, March 19, 2021, is “Then Was Then and Now is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now is Now” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee (or as I call her Miss Peggy Lee). She released it on an album of the same name in 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now is Now” in 1965 for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa did the very fine arrangement.

Then Was Then And Now Is Now

Listen to Then Was Then And Now Is Now on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“Then Was Then and Now is Now,” 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 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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