The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 19, 2023, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse. It pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and rather somber lyric by Hart: in other words, a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Falling In Love With Love” on February 19, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. It was released in 1997 on the CD re-release of If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set.

“Falling In Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set
 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, July 16, 2023, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

“Blue Moon” was written in 1933 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz. It first appeared in the 1934 movie Manhattan Melodrama, though with a completely different lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blue Moon” in July 1973. The recording was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“Blue Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Wish I Were In Love Again

The song of the day for Saturday, July 15, 2023, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “I Wish I Were In Love Again” for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. It was a favorite song of Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in July 1973. It was. released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There’s A Small Hotel

The song of the day for Friday, July 14, 2023, is “There’s A Small Hotel.”

About This Song

“There’s A Small Hotel” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1935. Originally it was written for Jumbo, but wound up be used in the 1936 musical On Your Toes, where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson. The song has been recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Della Reese, in addition to Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’s A Small Hotel” in July 1973; it was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

“There’s A Small Hotel,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Manhattan

The song of the day for Thursday, July 13, 2023, is “Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Manhattan” was written in 1925 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Garrick Gaieties. The song made its first film appearance the following year in a short entitled Makers of Melody. It 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 July 1973. The recording was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“Manhattan,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

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