The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, April 18, 2021, is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1961. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Rules of the Road” in 1964 for the album When Lights Are Low, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, consisting of Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 14, 2021, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written by Jimm Van Heusen and Johnny Burke in 1939. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Noom” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Oh! You Crazy Moon

Listen to Oh! You Crazy Moon on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg wrote “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1935. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank. Playing with Bennett is The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass and Joe Barbera on drums.’

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

Last Night When We Were Young

Listen to Last Night When We Were Young on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dat Dere

The song of the day for Thursday, February 4, 2021, 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 album for children named The Playground, with the Ralph Sharon Trio. Bobby Tucker, the pianist for jazz greats including Billie Holiday, was the musical consultant for the album.

Dat Dere

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

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

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Tony Live! A Foggy Day

The song of the day for Saturday, September 19, 2020, is “A Foggy Day.”

About This Song

“A Foggy Day” was written by George and Ira Gershwin. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 movie A Damsel in Distress. The song has been quite popular with many great recordings, including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Foggy Day” with The Ralph Sharon Trio on his live performance on MTV Unplugged. In addition to Sharon on piano, the trio consisted of Doug Richeson on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“A Foggy Day,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

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