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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

June 27, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Don Costa, Gene Lees, If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Lalo Schifrin, Tony Bennett

January 20, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Monday, January 20, 2025, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin; the lyrics by Gene Lees were added later. The song 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 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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Don Costa, Gene Lees, If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Lalo Schifrin, Tony Bennett

May 26, 2024 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Sunday, May 26, 2024, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written in 1963 by Lalo Schifrin and was first recorded, without lyrics, for an album called Reflections, with Schfrin and Stan Getz. 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 If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, with a fine arrangement by Don Costa. Next to “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “The Right To Love” is the most searched-for song on this site.

“The Right To Love,” 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: Don Costa, Gene Lees, If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Lalo Schifrin, Tony Bennett

January 24, 2024 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Don Costa, Gene Lees, If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Lalo Schifrin, Tony Bennett

September 20, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Don Costa, Gene Lees, If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Lalo Schifrin, Tony Bennett

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