The song of the day for Monday, May 2, 2016 is “I Could Write A Book.”
About This Song
Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “I Could Write A Book” for the 1940 Broadway musical Pal Joey. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day and Ella Fitzgerald.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write A Book” in 1976 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs. The lovely accompaniment is from the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s a lovely sound.
“I Could Write A Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.
About Today
We’re featuring “I Could Write A Book” to celebrate the 121st anniversary of the birth of the lyricist of the song, Lorenz Hart.