The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Spring is Here

The song of the day for Saturday, March 21, 2026, is “Spring is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring is Here” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz 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 saddest 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. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Susannah McCorkle, Frank. Sinatra, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring is Here” in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs with The George Barnes/Ruby Braff Quartet. The recording is also available on Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook and The Complete Improv Recordings (Bennett’s own label in the 1970s).

“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: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Friday, October 15, 2021, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written in 1937 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 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. More recently, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sang a duet of this song on their 2011 album “Duets II.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” with The George Barnes – Ruby Braff Quartet in 1973 for the album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

The Lady Is A Tramp

Listen to The Lady Is A Tramp on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings 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 Tuesday, October 12, 2021, is “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.”

About This Song

“The Most Beautiful Girl In The World” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz 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 1973 with The George Barners – Ruby Braff Quartet. It was released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Listen to The Most Beautiful Girl In The World on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Romance

The song of the day for Saturday, October 9, 2021, is “My Romance.”

About This Song

“My Romance” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1935 Broadway musical Jumbo. The song was used in the 1962 film version, where it was sung by Doris Day. The song has been widely recorded by jazz and popular artists including The Andrews Sisters, Bill Evans, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Jo Stafford, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The George Barnes/Ruby Braff Quartet, recorded “My Romance” in 1973 for the album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart Songs, released in 1977.

My Romance

Listen to My Romance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

“My Romance,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Friday, September 26, 2021, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

“I Could Write a Book” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Harold Lang 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 in order 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 1973 with The George Barnes-Ruby Braff Quartet. The recording was released in 1976 on the album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs.

I Could Write A Book

Listen to I Could Write A Book on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music