The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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: You’re All the World to Me

The song of the day for Friday, February 28, 2025, is “You’re All the World to Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All the World to Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’re All the World to Me” live on April 12, 1994, for his appearance on Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged won two 1994 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“You’re All the World to Me,” as well as Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, the dancing on the ceiling dance number.

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Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, January 5, 2023, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About This Song

“Fly Me To The Moon” was written in 1954 by Bart Howard. The song was originally titled “In Other Words,” but the song was not doing that well, in spite of several recordings. In 1962, Howard renamed the song “Fly Me To The Moon,” and the song began to catch on. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording for If I Ruled The World was a big hit for Bennett. There have been many recordings of the song, including those by Frank Sinatra, Kaye Ballard, and many more. However, Bart Howard told Bennett that his 1965 recording was “the definitive performance of this song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fly Me To The Moon” on April 12, 1994, for MTV’s Unplugged. The MTV Unplugged album was released in June of that year. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the recording of “Fly Me To The Moon” from the MTV television performance.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Friday, July 16, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, “I’ve Got Just About Everything” is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” with The Ralph Sharon Trio in 1964 for When Lights Are Low. This has a great arrangement by Ralph Sharon plus excellent work by Sharon, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

I"ve Got Just About Everything

Listen to I"ve Got Just About Everything on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Monday, April 12, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, “I’ve Got Just About Everything” is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.” This song has been recorded by composer Dorough, Ann Hampton Calloway, and even Tuck and Patti.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring a Ralph Sharon arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio backs Bennett on this album, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Gaylord’s bass is especially good on this cut.

I"ve Got Just About Everything

Listen to I"ve Got Just About Everything on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.