The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: There’s a Small Hotel

The song of the day for Saturday, October 25, 2025, is “There’s a Small Hotel.”

About This Song

“There’s a Small Hotel” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1935. Originally written for the musical Jumbo, it was used the next year in On Your Toes, where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson. The song has been recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Della Reese, in addition to Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’s a Small Hotel” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It was released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

“There’s a Small Hotel,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Most Beautiful Girl in the World

The song of the day for Thursday, October 2, 2025, is “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.”

About This Song

“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1935 musical Jumbo. It has become a jazz and popular standard. The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra had a Top 40 hit with the song in 1953. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Playing for Bennett was the The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Spring Is Here

The song of the day for Friday, March 21, 2025, is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1938 musical “I Married An Angel,” where it was introduced by Dennis King and Vivienne Segal. It’s one of Hart’s sadder lyrics, where the coming of Spring has no meaning, as his love is gone. But rather than a sad, depressing song, with the lovely melody by Rodgers, the song has sweet poignancy.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring Is Here” in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. Accompanying Bennett is The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, featuring: Braff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

“Spring Is Here,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

“I Could Write a Book” was written in 1940 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today, it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” in July 1973 for the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. For his Rodgers and Hart albums, Bennett used The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. Without piano or drums, the quartet is well-suited to the Rodgers and Hart songs.

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Sunday, February 2, 2025, is “Thou Swell.”

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” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guifrida on bass. “Thou Swell” was released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart in 1973 on Bennett’s Improv label.

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