The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, December 11, 2025, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1961. 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

Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” on March 26, 1964, for When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led his trio: Sharon (piano), Hal Gaylord (bass), and Billy Exiner (drums).

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Judy

The song of the day for Saturday, November 22, 2025, is “Judy.”

About Today

We are celebrating Hoagy Carmichael, who was born 126 years ago on November 22, 1899. You can read more about him at hoagy.com.

About This Song

“Judy” was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Sammy Lerner. “Judy” is love song that some thought was a little too worldly-wise; in fact even though written in 1929, it wasn’t published until 1934. Early recordings came from the Dorsey Brothers, Lionel Hampton and Bob Chester. Other recordings include those by Louis Prima, Frankie Laine and, of course, Tony Bennett. It is said to have been a favorite song of the young performer Frances Gumm, who changed her name to Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Judy” on March 27, 1964, for the album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and, of course, played piano, with Hal Gaylord (bass) and Billy Exiner (drums).

“Judy,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Just In Time

The song of the day for Monday, October 20, 2025, is “Just In Time.”

About This Song

“Just In Time” was written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin in the Broadway production; Holliday and Dean Martin sang it for the 1960 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, Billy Exiner on drums) recorded “Just In Time” live on August 28, 1962, in Washington, DC on the Mall near the mall near The Washington Monument for a concert to honor that year’s group of presidential scholars, along with The Dave Brubeck Quartet, requested by President John F. Kennedy. The concert was originally scheduled for the White House Rose Garden, but there was so much interest in the concert that it had to be moved to a larger venue.

Frank Laico at Columbia Records recorded the concert. Over time, the tapes were determined to be lost somewhere in the vaults. They weren’t discovered until 2012, where they were finally located in the classical music section. In May 2013, Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962 was released.

“Just In Time,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About Today

We are honoring the late Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett’s pianist and musical director from 1957 to 1965 and again from 1986 to 2001. Sharon was born in London on September 17, 1924. After he retired in 2001 to Boulder, Colorado, he continued playing local gigs, including teas at the St. Julien Hotel. He died on March 31, 2015 at the age of 91.

Ralph Sharon links:

About This Song

“I’ve Got Just About Everything” was written by Bob Dorough in the early 1960s. Dorough is well-known for his work on the TV series Schoolhouse Rock!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” on March 17, 1964, with The Ralph Sharon Trio for his 1964 album When Lights Are Low. The trio featured Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Thursday, August 28, 2025, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

“That Old Black Magic” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film Star Spangled Rhythm. The song was popular from the start, with recordings by Glenn Miller and Judy Garland in 1942. The song has been used in films and television, including Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe, and Star Trek Voyager, where it was sung by Jeri Ryan, portraying Seven of Nine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Old Black Magic” live 63 years ago on August 28, 1962. Bennett, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, and the Dave Brubeck Quartet had both been invited by President John F. Kennedy to perform at a concert honoring that year’s group of summer interns. Originally, the concert was planned for the Rose Garden at the White House, but due to so much interest, it was moved to the Sylvan Theatre on the Mall, near the Washington Monument.

Brubeck with his quartet (Paul Desmond on alto sax, Eugene Wright on bass, Joe Morello on drums) opened the concert. Next was Tony Bennett and The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, Billy Exiner on drums) who performed. After Bernnett’s set, Dave Brubeck and Tony Bennett did an unplanned improv set, joined by Eugene Wright and Joe Morello.

The concert was taped, but over time it had become lost in the vaults. They were discovered, misfiled in the Classical Music section, in December 2012, just a few weeks after Dave Brubeck’s death. Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962 was finally released in May 2013.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett made a short video about the experience.