The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: If I Ruled the World

The song of the day for Friday, February 13, 2026, is “If I Ruled the World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled the World” was written by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse for the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled the World” on February 19, 1965, for If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

“If I Ruled the World,” 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: Falling In Love with Love

The song of the day for Thursday, January 80, 2026, is “Falling In Love with Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love with Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys From Syracuse, pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and rather somber lyric by Hart: in other words, a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling In Love with Love” on February 19, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. The song was released in 1997 for he CD re-release of the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set.

“Falling In Love with 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: The Right To Love

The song of the day for is “The Right To Love.”

About Today

As I was preparing to choose today’s song, I learned the Lalo Schifrin had just died on Wednesday, June 26, 2025. He was 93 years old and died from pneumonia. You can read his biography on his website schifrin.com. You can read obituaries on Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Chicago Tribune, and The Los Angeles Times.

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written by Lalo Schfrin ca. 1963; the lyrics by Gene Lees were added later. According to the website filmscoremonthly, this song has an interesting history. 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.

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. 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: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, June 1, 2025, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor songwriter Bart Howard, born 110 years ago on June 1, 1915, in Iowa. Bart Howard wrote “Fly Me To The Moon” for his partner of 58 years, Thomas Fowler.

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 to “Fly Me To The Moon,” and the song began to catch on. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording for “If I Ruled The World” was a big hit for Bennett. 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, for the album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the excellent arrangement. It’s very fine recording — Bennett’s superb diction is quite special.

“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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Song of the Day: Then Was Then and Now is Now

The song of the day for Monday, May 26, 2025, is “Then Was Then and Now is Now.”

About Today

We are remembering Peggy Lee, born on May 26, 1920, as Norma Deloris Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota. She was a singer as well as songwriter, co-writing over 270 songs.

About This Song

“Then Was Then and Now is Now” was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Peggy Lee. She released it on her 1965 album Then Was Then — Now Is Now!

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Then Was Then and Now is Now” on February 18, 1965, for 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.

We’ve got Miss Peggy Lee’s recording of “Then Was Then and Now is Now” from 1965: