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, January 6, 2020, 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 to “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 his album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. The excellent arrangement was written by Don Costa.

“Fly Me to the Moon,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: If I Ruled the World

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 15, 2019, 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 on Broadway in 1965. 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 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 from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Monday, August 19, 2019. is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right to Love” was composed by Lalo Schifrin, with lyrics by Gene Lees. 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. featuring a fine arrangement by Don Costa, for the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set.

The Right To Love

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: All My Tomorrows

The song of the day for Saturday, July 20, 2019, is “All My Tomorrows.”

About This Song

“All My Tomorrows” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Sammy Cann for the 1959 film A Hole In The Head. This film, directed by Frank Capra, starred Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, and Eleanor Parker. Cahn and Van Heusen won the Academy Award for Best Music and for Best Song, though the song that won was “High Hopes” and not “All My Tomorrows.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All My Tomorrows” in 1965 for the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa did the fine arrangement.

All My Tomorrows

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965

“All My Tomorrows,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Thursday, June 13, 2019, 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 musical The Boys of Syracuse. The song pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult with somewhat 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 a lovely arrangement by Don Costa. It was not released on the original LP of If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, but was added to the album for the 1997 CD re-release.

Falling In Love With Love

Falling In Love With Love, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Falling In Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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