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

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 19, 2017 is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Today’s 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 with The Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low.

The Rules Of The Road

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


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

Tony Bennett has recorded several versions of “The Rules of the Road,” but this one is by far my favourite. It comes across to me as a cautionary tale–the story of a person who has been burned a bit by those rules.

About Today

Today is your author’s birthday and “The Rules of the Road” is my present to myself. I know I play this song a lot, but it’s my favorite. I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence.

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Song of the Day: It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie

The song of the day for Monday, January 30, 2017 is “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie.”

About This Song

“It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie” was written in 1936 by Billy Mathew and was introduced by Fats Waller. The song has been recorded by artists from Billie Holiday to Steve Goodman to Slim Whitman to Patti Page. And, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums, for the album When Lights Are Low. This is how I love Tony Bennett best: a great jazz song played with an impeccable trio or quartet.

It"s A Sin To Tell A Lie

Listen to It"s A Sin To Tell A Lie on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Saturday, Mary 14, 2016 is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas” in 1940, expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1941 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.

About This Version

I adore this version of “White Christmas” from Bennett/Berlin, recorded in 1987. The song features the great Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone, along with the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. This is one of the finest jazz recordings of a holiday song that I’ve ever heard.

White Christmas - 1987 Version

Listen to White Christmas - 1987 Version on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dexter Gordon · 1987


“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It was 90 degrees when I was driving home today and then and there I decided that today was the day to feature “White Christmas,” as no tribute to the music of Irving Berlin would be complete without acknowledging this song.

There is a lovely video of “White Christmas” featuring Tony, Dexter Gordon, and the Ralph Sharon Trio, stopping in an inn on a snowy Christmas Eve and singing this song. Alas, it seems to have disappeared off the Internet. Instead, here’s Tony Bennett singing it live at Rockefeller Center in 2011. May all your Christmases be bright.

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

The song of the day for Friday, April 14, 2016 is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Just About Everything” was written by the great jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough. 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

I just realized that I keep returning to Tony’s 1964 album When Lights Are Low. And why not? It’s a terrific album, with the Ralph Sharon Trio as well as Bennett in top form! I just love listening to Tony Bennett singing this song.

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 iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Monday, April 11, 2016 is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ogden Nash.The song was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Speak Low” several times. Today’s recording is from his 1964 album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio with Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.