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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

October 20, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Thursday, October 21, 2021, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About Today

Today we are honoring lyricist Leslie Bricusse, who died on October 19, 2021, at the age of 90. Obituaries: New York Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Times (UK), and The Guardian.

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written in 1963 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” in 1965 for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, featuring an excellent Don Costa arrangement.

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 on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cyril Ornadel, If Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Leslei Bricusse death obituaries, Leslie Bricusse

July 31, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, August 1, 2021, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About This Week

Please join us here at The Year of Tony Bennett in a week-long celebration of Tony Bennett’s 95th birthday on August 3. We’re celebrating by playing some of his greatest hits and greatest recordings.

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 it “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” in 1965 for his album If Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Bob Costa wrote the very fine arrangement.

Fly Me To The Moon

Listen to Fly Me To The Moon on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bart Howard, Bob Costa, If Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Tony Bennett

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