The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Tony Live! You’re All The World To Me

The song of the day for 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 sang “You’re All The World To Me” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged with The Ralph Sharon Trio.

“You’re All The World To Me” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

And here’s Fred Astaire, dancing on that ceiling, from Royal Wedding.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 13, 2020, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written in 1939 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, recorded with the Ralph Sharon Trio, which featured Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 4, 2020, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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 This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low. Accompanying Bennett was the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 14, 2020, is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had to Be You” was written by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn in 1924. It’s a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edward,s and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, including Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. Sharon wrote the arrangement; his piano on this song is lovely.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Friday, October 18, 2019, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, this song 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” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums) for the album When Lights Are Low.

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

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