The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie

The song of the day for Monday, January 30, 2017 is “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie.”

About This Song

“It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie” was written in 1936 by Billy Mathew and was introduced by Fats Waller. The song has been recorded by artists from Billie Holiday to Steve Goodman to Slim Whitman to Patti Page. And, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums, for the album When Lights Are Low. This is how I love Tony Bennett best: a great jazz song played with an impeccable trio or quartet.

It"s A Sin To Tell A Lie

Listen to It"s A Sin To Tell A Lie on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Rules Of The Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 25, 2017 is “Rules Of The Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Rules Of The Road,” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Coleman and Leigh are well-known for both their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, their standalone songs, such as “Rules of the Road,” are equally compelling. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Regular visitors to The Year of Tony Bennett know that this song is a favorite of mine. I usually choose Bennett’s original 1961 version, with a Ralph Burns big band arrangement, from the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Today, however, I’m featuring his 1964 version, arranged by Ralph Sharon, with the Ralph Sharon Trio that featured Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums, on the album When Lights Are Low. It’s a much quieter and introspective reading of the song … so interesting, in fact, that I’m also adding the 1961 version, in case you’d like to listen and compare the two.

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“Rules Of The Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

Here’s the 1961 version from I Left My Heart in San Francisco, also available from iTunes:

Rules of the Road

Tony Bennett · I Left My Heart In San Francisco · Song · 1962

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Friday, August 26, 2016 is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

Written in 1939, “Oh! You Crazy Moon” was the first song that Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, which featured the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

Oh! You Crazy Moon

Listen to Oh! You Crazy Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Monday, April 11, 2016 is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ogden Nash.The song was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Speak Low” several times. Today’s recording is from his 1964 album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio with Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 19, 2016 is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It is a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whitman, Cliff Edwards and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Today’s recording of Tony Bennett singing “It Had To Be You” was made in 1964 for his album with the Ralph Sharon Trio, When Lights Are Low. In addition to Ralph Sharon on piano, the trio features Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.