The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Sunday, May 2, 2021, is “Thou Swell.”

About Today

Lyricist Lorenz Hart was born on May 2, 1895, in New York to Jewish immigrant parents. While studying journalism at Columbia University in 1919, he was introduced to Richard Rodgers and the rest was history. Hart died in 1943.

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “Thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” for the 1977 album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, recorded on Bennett’s on Improv label.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1973.

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Thursday, April 15, 2021, is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1938 for the Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse, pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and a rather somber lyric by Hart: in other words, a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling In Love With Love” in 1965, with an arrangement by Don Costa. It was originally planned for If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, but wasn’t included on the 1965 LP; it was included on the 1997 CD re-release of the album.

Falling In Love With Love

Listen to Falling In Love With Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

“Falling In Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where or When

The song of the day for Thursday, April 1, 2021, is “Where or When.”

About This Song

“Where or When” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 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” with Ralph Sharon for their 1961 album Tony Sings For Two.

Where or When

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

“Where or When,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t It Romantic

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 16, 2021, is “Isn’t It Romantic.”

About This Song

“Isn’t It Romantic” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1932 movie Love Me Tonight, starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. The song has proved to be one of their most popular and has been and still is widely recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Bill Evans Trio. In his book American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls “Isn’t It Romantic” a “perfect song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t It Romantic” with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet for the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

I’ve always found the composition of this quartet both highly unusual and absolutely perfect for Tony’s take on these Rodgers and Hart songs. The quartet features Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. Without drums or piano, the sound evokes a lovely period sound for songs written in the 1930s but without being dated.

We’re also celebrating the birth anniversary of Ruby (born Reuben) Braff on March 16, 1927. Braff had a distinguished career playing trumpet and cornet starting in 1954. He died in 2003.

Isn’t It Romantic

Listen to Isn’t It Romantic on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1973.

“Isn’t It Romantic,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 10. 2021, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” in 2011 for Duets II. It features an impeccable arrangement by Marion Evans.

This was the first time the pair worked together. Since that time, they put out the album Cheek to Cheek in 2014 and another album is due later this year.

The Lady is a Tramp

Listen to The Lady is a Tramp on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2011.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as Duets II, is available from Apple Music.

And here are Tony and Lady Gaga!

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