The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 15, 2021, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Thou Swell” for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.” It’s a personal favorite of your author.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” with The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet in 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Manhattan

The song of the day for Sunday, September 11, 2021, is “Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Manhattan” was written in 1925 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Garrick Gaieties, where it was introduced by Sterlin Holloway. The song made its first film appearance the following year in a short entitled Makers of Melody. The song has remained popular up to today and is frequently recorded by jazz and popular singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, “Manhattan” has been recorded by Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Dinah Washington. It is often used in films, including Silent Movie, Mighty Aphrodite, and The English Patient.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Manhattan” in 1973 with The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rogers & Hart Songs on Bennett’s own Improv label.

Manhattan

Tony Bennett · The Complete Improv Recordings · Song · 2004

“Manhattan,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Thursday, July 8, 2021, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” ” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “My Funny Valentine” in 1964 for the album A Time For Love, which was released by Ralph Sharon. This is an exquisite recording of this song, with an excellent arrangement (and piano playing) by Ralph Sharon.

My Funny Valentine

Listen to My Funny Valentine on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me

The song of the day for Monday, May 24, 2021, is “Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me.”

About This Song

“Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the musical By Jupiter in 1942. Directed by Joshua Logan, it starred Ray Bolger, Vera-Ellen, and Constance Moore. It was their last full-length work. In American Popular Music, Alec Wilder called this song “one of the loveliest songs Rodgers or any other theater writer has ever written. In the area of this form of music, it is a masterpiece.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me” on October 28, 1959, at the CBS 30th Street Studio with just Ralph Sharon for the album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

It was a remarkable session, as Bennett relates in his autobiography, The Good Life:

We booked time in the studio and pored through music books, trying one tune after another. The arrangements were spontaneous, and we finished each song in one or two takes. In one afternoon we laid down sixteen tunes–which must be some kind of record–twelve of which made it onto the album, which became 1961’s Tony Sings For Two. Mitch Miller showed up at the start of these sessions, furious that I was really going through with it. When he saw there no dissuading me, he turned to Frank Laico and said, “I’m leaving. I can’t support this.” Tony Sings For Two turned out to be one of my finest records ever.

Nobody"s Heart Belongs To Me

Listen to Nobody"s Heart Belongs To Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961

“Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Sunday, May 2, 2021, is “Thou Swell.”

About Today

Lyricist Lorenz Hart was born on May 2, 1895, in New York to Jewish immigrant parents. While studying journalism at Columbia University in 1919, he was introduced to Richard Rodgers and the rest was history. Hart died in 1943.

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “Thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” for the 1977 album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, recorded on Bennett’s on Improv label.

Thou Swell

Tony Bennett · Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook · Song · 1973

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.