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, May 29, 2018 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1960 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Andy Propst, in his recent biography of Coleman, You Fascinate Me So, writes that Coleman was suffering from writer’s block during that period, when Carolyn Leigh was wanting to work on “The Rules of the Road.” When he did find his away around that block, the result was “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “The Rules of the Road” several times, the first time in 1961 with an arrangement by Ralph Burns. Today’s version was recorded in 1964 for the album When Lights Are Low and is a rather nice and somewhat introspective version, arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“The Rules of the Road” is a real favorite of your author, who indulges herself frequently with this song. Thank you for your patience. 🙂

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.

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Song of the Day: I See Your Face Before Me

The song of the day for Sunday, May 27, 2018 is “I See Your Face Before Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I See Your Face Before Me,” was written in 1937 by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. It was written for the 1937 Broadway musical Between The Devil, where it was introduced by Adele Dixon. Both Guy Lombardo and Glen Gray recorded the song in that time period. Later recordings include those by Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman. The Johnny Hardman version, recorded in 1955, was used in the soundtrack for the 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I See Your Face Before Me” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

I See Your Face Before Me

Listen to I See Your Face Before Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“I See Your Face Before Me,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 16, 2018 is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I’ve Got the World on a String” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank. The arrangement was done by Ralph Sharon, who accompanies Mr. Bennett.

I"ve Got the World On a String

Listen to I"ve Got the World On a String on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Mom

The song of the day for Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 2018 is “My Mom.”

About This Song

This lovely 1932 song by Walter Donaldson was quite popular at time, with recordings by George Jessell and Rudy Vallee, among others. Tony Bennett relates in his autobiography The Good Life, that his father used to sing this song to him and his brothers and sisters when they were children.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Mom” in 1998 for his album The Playground, featuring songs for children. The lovely piano accompaniment is from Ralph Sharon.

My Mom

Listen to My Mom on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1998


“My Mom,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day?

The song of the day for Friday, May 11, 2018 is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day?.”

About This Song

This delightful song by Irving Berlin was written in 1935 for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day?” in 1987 for his album of songs by Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin. Playing for Bennett is the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

We chose this song today to honor Irving Berlin on the 130th anniversary of his birth on May 11, 1888 in Belarus; his family immigrated to the United States when Berlin was five years old. He wrote his first big hit, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” in 1911 and his place as one of America’s greatest songwriters was soon assured. Composer George Gershwin called him “the greatest songwriter that has ever lived” and composer Jerome Kern concluded that “Irving Berlin has no place in American music–he is American music.”

The website irvingberlin.com has plenty of information and resources on the composer.

Isn"t This a Lovely Day

Listen to Isn"t This a Lovely Day on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1987


“Isn’t This a Lovely Day?,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from iTunes.