The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

On the second day of the Tony Bennett 90th Birthday Bash, Monday, August 1, 2016 the song of the day is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by our songwriter of the month, Cy Coleman, and Carolyn Leigh.

About This Version

It’s no secret that I absolutely adore this song. All the different versions too. Here’s the original: recorded in 1961 and included on Bennett’s Grammy-winning album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. The arrangement is by Ralph Burns. (Hint: we’ll be returning to this album before the birthday bash is over.)

Rules of the Road

Tony Bennett · I Left My Heart In San Francisco · Song · 1962


“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

And here’s the alternate version, which I love. This time, it’s a Ralph Sharon arrangement from When Lights Are Low.

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

Listening to these recordings one after the other is master class in singing.

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Song of the Day: Dancing In The Dark

The song of the day for Sunday, July 2, 2016 is “Dancing In The Dark.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song twice, first in 1961 and again in 1993. I chose the 1961 version, recorded for the album My Heart Sings, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns.

Dancing in the Dark

Listen to Dancing in the Dark on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Dancing In The Dark,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

As I write, I’m watching the movie That’s Entertainment on Turner Classic Movies. When they featured “Dancing in the Dark” with Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dancing, I knew I’d found my song of the day and an extra video.

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Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Monday, June 13, 2016 is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” is one of the hit songs from the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing, which featured a score by Jule Styne and lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” in 1958 for the album Hometown, My Town, which was released in 1959. The terrific arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1fybSs6gewxKZyojiAHsNB/embed]
“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Never Was You

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 10, 2016 is “It Never Was You.”

About This Song

“It Never Was You” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, the score of which also included “September Song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Never Was You” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings. The arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

It Never Was You

Listen to It Never Was You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“It Never Was You,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 2, 2016 is “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” was written in 1933 by Rube Bloom and Ted Koehler for the Cotton Club Parade — World’s Fair Edition. In addition to two recordings by Tony Bennett, it has been recorded notably by Dave Brubeck, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Joni Mitchell.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings. The terrific arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

Don"t Worry "Bout Me

Listen to Don"t Worry "Bout Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.