The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 10, 2023, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive” was written in 1963 by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; the English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel.T his 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, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“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: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Thursday, September 21, 2023, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin, with lyrics by Gene Lees. 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.

“The Right To Love” has been searched for on this site more than any other song Tony Bennett recorded.

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. It was arranged by Don Costa.

“The Right To 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: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, July 22, 2023, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About This Song

“Fly Me To The Moon” was written in 1954 by Bart Howard. The song 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 it 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 his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set. The wonderful arrangement was by Don Costa.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set is available on Apple Music.

I found this lovely video of Tony singing today’s song from the television program, Live By Request, originally aired in 1998. The violinist is Joel Smirnoff, who was featured on Bennett’s 1999 album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 19, 2023, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse. It pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and 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” on February 19, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. It was released in 1997 on the CD re-release of If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set.

“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: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Friday, June 23, 2023, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling In Love With Love” on February 19, 1965. The recording was not used for the 1965 release of If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, but was included in the 1997 re-release. It was arranged by Don Costa.

“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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