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 Saturday, June 1, 2019, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 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” for his 1964 album with The Ralph Sharon Trio: When Lights Are Low.

It’s no secret that this one of my favorite songs recorded by Tony Bennett. I invite to compare this 1964 version with Bennett’s original 1961 recording. It’s the mark of a great jazz singer to pull off these recordings with such a different emotional impact for the listener. Well, at least this listener.

The Rules Of The Road – 2011 Remaster

The Rules Of The Road – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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

Rules of the Road

Rules of the Road, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, February 15, 2019, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Your blogger loves this song a lot. Thanks for indulging me.

About This Version

Today I’m featuring Bennett’s first recording of “The Rules of the Road” from his 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Ralph Burns wrote the excellent arrangement.

Rules of the Road

Rules of the Road, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Saturday, December 29, 2018, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song, but it actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, I Left My Heart in San Francisco was a huge hit at the performance and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962 and features an arrangement by Marty Manning.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we have an extended segment from a Tony Bennett appearance on The Judy Garland Show in 1963. A number of songs are featured, including today’s song. This is one of my favorite Tony Bennett videos.

Tony Bennett & Judy Garland – Medley (The Judy Garland Show, 1963).

5th episode of “The Judy Garland Show”, aired on CBS. Filmed on July 30, 1963. – Songs: Night Train/Lullaby Of Broadway (Tony). Carolina In The Morning (Judy). Kansas City (Tony). When The Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves For Alabam (Judy). I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Tony & Judy).

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Tony Bennett Way

Tony Bennett is on the West Coast this week (and that includes my home of Portland, Oregon!!). He took some time to go to San Francisco to be honored with the renaming of a block on Mason Street, near the Fairmont Hotel, as Tony Bennett Way. Congratulations to Mr. Bennett and kudos to San Francisco for such a wonderful ceremony.

Here is a selection of news coverage of the event.

Tony Bennett gets fitting tribute in city where he left his heart

There is a video of Tony Bennett from an appearance in 1994 on MTV’s Unplugged. He leans casually against a black piano, flashes a smile at the audience and begins to sing. “I left my heart … ” The audience cuts him off with applause, and he lets them, pausing to smile again and glance around the room.

San Francisco renames street in honor of Tony Bennett

San Francisco celebrated singer Tony Bennett Saturday by re-naming part of a street in his honor. A stuntman disguised as Bennett rappelled down The Fairmont Hotel to get the party started. Moments later, Bennett himself took the stage. Bennett first performed his iconic hit “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at the Fairmont in 1961.

Tony Bennett Rappels Down Fairmont Hotel to Accept Honor

He left his heart in San Francisco and he propelled down The Fairmont Hotel to get it back. The 18-time Grammy Awards winner Tony Bennett slid down a rope on the side of the hotel in San Francisco Saturday…

See you Wednesday here in Portland!

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Saturday, May 19, 2018 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

Written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sings it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Best Is Yet To Come” in 1960, with a very effective arrangement by the composer, Cy Coleman. It was released as a single in that year and was also included on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

The Best Is Yet to Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet to Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

About Today

I have a special video for you today of Tony Bennett, with his quartet, singing today’s song at the 2014 iTunes Festival in London. Enjoy!