The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Friday, February 7, 2025, 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 the album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Monday, January 20, 2025, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin; the lyrics by Gene Lees were added later. The song 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” on February 18,1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

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

By Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee in 1964. Lee made the first recording of the song in 1964, which appeared on her album Then Was Then and Now Is Now, released in January 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.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 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, despite 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 If I Ruled the World: Songs For the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the very fine arrangement.

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 4, 2024, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse 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 very fine arrangement.

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