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 Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 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” for his 1965 album “If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. It was arranged and conducted by Don Costa.

If I Ruled the World

Listen to If I Ruled the World on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“If I Ruled the World,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Right to Love

The song of the day for Monday, January 20, 2020, is “The Right to Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin, with lyrics by Gene Lees. The song 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” in 1965 for the 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 from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Friday, October 18, 2013 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Known as “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese, “How Insensitive” was written by Antônio Carlos Jobim in 1963, with original lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes. The English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel. “How Insensitive” is one the earliest and best-known bossa nova songs from Brazil.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Tony Bennett Songs For The Jet Set. The album, which features a photograph of Rio de Janiero on the cover, contains two Jobim songs, the other “Samba Do Avião” or “Song of the Jet,” opens the album.


“How Insensitive,” as well as the album If I Ruled The World: Tony Bennett Songs For The Jet Set,” is available from iTunes and Amazon.

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