The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Falling in Love With Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 20, 2024, is “Falling in Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling in Love With Love” was written by Richard Rogers and Larry Hart for the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse. With the beautiful Rodgers waltz melody and the rather somber lyrics by Hart, it’s a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling in Love With Love” on February 19, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. While recorded for Bennett’s 1965 album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, it was not included in the original LP release, but was added to the 1997 CD re-release.

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

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 3, 2024, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written in 1927 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 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” in July 1973 for the album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977. Bennett was accompanied by the The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

“Thou Swell,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Saturday, December 9, 2023, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry 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 and Ralph Sharon recorded “My Funny Valentine” on October 28, 1959, for their album Tony Sings For Two. Even though recorded in 1959, the album wasn’t released until 1961.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You’re Nearer

The song of the day for Friday, September 29, 2023, is “You’re Nearer.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “You’re Nearer” for the 1940 movie version of Too Many Girls. It’s one of their loveliest and most elegant love songs. Richard Rodgers said that “Tony’s recording of ‘You’re Nearer’ makes me extremely happy and would affect Larry Hart the same way if he could hear it.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You’re Nearer” in September 1976 for their second album Together Again, released in 1977.

“You’re Nearer,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Bewitched

The song of the day for Sunday, September 16, 2023, is “Bewitched.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor one of Tony Bennett’s greatest collaborators: Ralph Sharon, who was born in London on September 17, 1925. He served as Bennett’s pianist, musical director, and arranger for many years, starting in 1958.

About This Song

“Bewitched” (also known by its full name “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”) was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded “Bewitched” on October 28, 1959. They wanted to an album of songs from the Great American Songbook, without any other accompaniment, other than Sharon. Bennett’s producer, Mitch Miller, showed up and said to the Frank Laico, who recorded the session, “I’m leaving. I can’t support this.”

The resulting album, Tony Sings For Two, was released in 1961.

“Bewitched,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

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