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, 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: Time After Time

The song of the day for Friday, January 17, 2020, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Kahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper all of whom have made fine recordings of “Time After Time.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, January 16, 2020, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written by Will Robison in 1940. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote that “Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. Columbia pulled the album at the very last moment and it wasn’t made available until it was included in the Tony Bennett – Complete Collection box set, released in 2011. While several of the songs on On The Glory Road, this charming recording didn’t. I, for one, am mighty glad it did.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On The Glory Road, 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: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, January 10, 2020, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The 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 This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, featuring a very fine arrangement by Ralph Burns, who also orchestrated My Heart Sings. Today’s recording was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

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