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, July 2, 2013 is “If I Ruled the World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled the World” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Cyril Ornadel in 1963 for their 1963 musical Pickwick, based on Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers. Pickwick originally opened in London and was mounted on Broadway in 1965. “If I Ruled the World” quickly became a standard for popular singers and was recorded by James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., and, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

As the saying goes: What do you mean if?

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled the World” for his 1965 album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. I have written before about how much I admire this album and have loved it since it entered my household when I was a teenager. From the beautiful and dramatic picture of Rio de Janiero on the cover, this album promises a lot and delivers even more.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7LImTa7vwDT3dDFBzq5wfw
“If I Ruled the World,” as well as the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

The Song of the Day for October 9, 2012 is Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me).

About Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

From the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, Who Can I Turn To was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It was first recorded by Shirley Bassey, but the recording wasn’t popular.  Tony Bennett then recorded the song and that version became a hit and helped to transfer the musical from London to Broadway.

About This Version

We feature Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) as we prepare for Viva Duets, as Mr. Bennett is singing this song with Gloria Estefan.

Mr. Bennett recorded the song for his 1964 album, Who Can I Turn To. The song was arranged and conducted by George Siravo and the album produced by Ernie Alstchuler, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio [with Billy Exiner (d) and Hal Gaylord(b)] along with an orchestra.

Mr. Bennett also recorded the song with Bill Evans for Together Again and as duet with Queen Latifah on Duets II.

Today’s version is the original, as compiled on Fifty Years – The Artistry of Tony Bennett.