The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Monday, February 26, 2024, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Funny Valentine” sixty years ago today on February 26, 1964, for his album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and with the rest of his trio (Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums) accompanied Bennett for this recording.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Autumn Leaves

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 8, 2023, is “Autumn Leaves.”

About This Song

“Autumn Leaves” was composed in 1945 by Joseph Kosma, with French lyrics by Jacques Prévert. Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics in 1947. Known as “Les feuilles mortes” (The Dead Leaves) in the original French, the English song is known as “Autumn Leaves.” Mercer wrote the lyrics in 1947 and Jo Stafford was the first artist to record the song with the English lyrics. Other notable recordings include those by Edith Piaf and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Autumn Leaves” on October 14, 1964, for his album Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement. The recording features The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Bill Exiner on drums).

“Autumn Leaves,” as well as the album Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 5, 2023, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written in 1939 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was the first song that Van Heusen and 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” on February 6, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, May 18, 2023, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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 this version of “The Rules of the Road” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. Bennett recorded this album with The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“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: On Green Dolphin Street

The song of the day for Thursday, September 15, 2022, is “On Green Dolphin Street.”

About This Song

“On Green Dolphin Street” was written by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington in 1947 for the film of the same name. While the song was not widely hailed at the time, it soon became popular with jazz musicians and has become a jazz standard (ranking #25 on jazz standards.com), especially after Miles Davis’ 1958 recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On Green Dolphin Street” on March 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano; Hal Gaylord on bass; and Billy Exiner on drums for the album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“On Green Dolphin Street,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.