The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Thursday, January 11, 2018 is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Funny Valentine” with Ralph Sharon in 1959 for the wonderful album Tony Sings For Two.

My Funny Valentine

Listen to My Funny Valentine on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“My Funny Valentine,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Where Or When

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 27, 2017 is “Where Or When.”

About This Song

“Where or When”, by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, was written for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. Benny Goodman recorded “Where or When” in 1941 with a very young Peggy Lee. It is a favorite song of many vocalists and has had many fine recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Or When” for his album with Ralph Sharon: Tony Sings For Two. Though recorded in 1969, the album wasn’t released until 1961. This gem of an album is beloved by Tony Bennett fans from all over the world.

Where or When

Listen to Where or When on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Where Or When,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Monday, December 11, 2017 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh wrote “The Rules of the Road” in 1961. Tony Bennett has recorded this song several times. Other notable recordings include those 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 the album When Lights Are Low. Unlike his first version, recorded in 1961, this recording is a slower and more contemplative. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement and led the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

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: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

The song of the day for Sunday, December 3, 2017 is “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.”

About This Song

“Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, was one of the hit songs from the 1940 musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Vivienne Segal. Notable recordings are by Benny Goodman, Mel Tormé, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder admired the lyric and the verse, but found the song “notey.” In spite of being notey, it’s a cornerstone of the American Songbook. It’s possibly your author’s favorite Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” in 1959 with Ralph Sharon. For whatever reason, Columbia didn’t release this album until 1961–it’s one of Bennett’s best albums.

Bewitched

Tony Bennett · Tony Sings For Two · Song · 1961


“Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Dat Dere

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 28, 2017 is “Dat Dere.”

About This Song

The jazz instrumental “Dat Dere” was written in 1960 by Bobby Timmons; it was first played by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in 1960, with Timmons on piano. Oscar Brown, Jr. wrote lyrics for the tune in 1961 for his album Sin & Soul … and Then Some. The song has been recorded by jazz and popular singers including Mel Tormé and Rickie Lee Jones.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dat Dere” in 1998 for his delightful album for children, The Playground. Playing with Bennett is the Ralph Sharon Quartet, with Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

Dat Dere

Listen to Dat Dere on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1998


“Dat Dere,” as well as The Playground, is available from iTunes.