The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Close Your Eyes

The song of the day for Saturday, April 5, 2025, is “Close Your Eyes.”

About This Song

“Close Your Eyes” was written by Bernice Petkere in 1933. Petkere was named by Irving Berlin as the “Queen of Tin Pan Alley.” A vaudeville performer as a child, she sold her first song in 1931, “Starlight,” recorded by Bing Crosby. “Close Your Eyes” is her most well-known song. The song started getting jazz treatments in the 1950s, starting with a great duet from Coleman Hawkins and Milt Jackson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Your Eyes” 64 years ago today on April 5, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band, which had several notable players, including Milt Hinton and Zoot Sims.

“Close Your Eyes,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 26, 2025, is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1961. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About These Versions

It’s no secret that “Rules of the Road” is one of my favorite songs sung by Tony Bennett. He made two studio recordings of the song, and after some consideration, I decided to include both recordings. They are quite different and both are excellent in their own way.

He first recorded the song on April 6, 1961; it was released as a single and later added to his 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

He recorded it again on March 26, 1964, with The Ralph Sharon Trio, for When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Thursday, March 13, 2025, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song describes it as “a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Friday, March 7, 2025, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics credited to Irving Mills. It was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title, and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals, and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written, and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band. The extended drum solo is by Clayton Cameron.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the original recording of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” with Ivie Anderson singing with Ellington’s band.

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Thursday, February 27, 2025, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was composed by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony Award for her performance. The film version Bells Are Ringing was released in 1960, starring Holliday and Dean Martin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” on November 4, 1958, for Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.