The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Thursday, January 25, 2024, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written ca. 1963 by Lalo Schifrin and Gene Lees. It was first recorded, without lyrics, in 1963 on an album called Reflections by Stan Getz and Lalo Schifrin. From the beginning, Tony Bennett liked the song and suggested that Gene Lees write the lyrics. The resulting song is an anthem for “forbidden” love. At that time, most people associated the song with interracial relationships; in later years, it has been sung by gay singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and k.d. lang.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Right To Love” on February 18, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Then Was Then and Now Is Now

The song of the day for Thursday, January 4, 2024, is “Then Was Then and Now Is Now.”

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now” was written by Cy Coleman and Peggy Lee. Miss Peggy Lee released it on her album with the same name in 1965.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now Is Now” on February 18, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Then Was Then and Now Is Now,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 10, 2023, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive” was written in 1963 by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; the English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel.T his song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” on February 18, 1965, for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Thursday, September 21, 2023, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin, with lyrics by Gene Lees. It was first recorded, without lyrics, in 1963 on an album called Reflections by Stan Getz and Lalo Schifrin. Tony Bennett liked the song from the beginning and suggested that Gene Lees write the lyrics. The resulting song is an anthem for “forbidden” love. At that time, most people associated the song with interracial relationships; in later years, it has been sung by gay singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and k.d. lang.

“The Right To Love” has been searched for on this site more than any other song Tony Bennett recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Right To Love” on February 18, 1965, for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. It was arranged by Don Costa.

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 5, 2023, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About This Song

“Fly Me To the Moon” was written by Bart Howard in 1954. It was originally titled “In Other Words,” but the song was not doing that well, in spite of several recordings. In 1962, Howard renamed the song “Fly Me To The Moon,” and the song began to catch on. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording of “If I Ruled The World” was a big hit. There have been many recordings of the song, including those by Frank Sinatra, Kaye Ballard, and many more. However, Bart Howard told Bennett that his 1965 recording was “the definitive performance of this song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fly Me To The Moon” on February 18, 1965, and released it on his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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