The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day

The song of the day for Sunday, October 24, 2021, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin or the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” in 1987 for the album Bennett/Berlin. Bennett was accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio and Sharon has a nice turn in this recording.

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that scene from Top Hat. Enjoy!

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, September 19, 2021, is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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 with The Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. Unlike his 1961 recording, this one is a little slower in tempo and more introspective. Both are wonderful, but this one is my favorite.

The Rules Of The Road

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

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

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Song of the Day: One For My Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 1, 2021, is “One For My Baby (And One More For The Road).”

About This Song

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Harold Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms” as at 48 bars, it was longer than the standard 32 bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says that “the honors must go the lyric. Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with “It’s a quarter to three”!

About This Version

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” was the penultimate song in Tony Bennett’s set at the 1962 White House Sessions, held on the National Mall by the Washington Monument and captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2013

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road),” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Small World

The song of the day for Sunday, August 29, 2021, is “Small World.”

About This Song

“Small World” is from the great 1959 musical Gypsy, written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, it tells the story of the mother, Rose, and her two daughters, June and Louise, and her obsession to make it in the vaudeville circuit. The role of Rose was written for Ethel Merman and is one of her finest and most complex roles. “Small World” is sung by Rose and Herbie, who has the misfortune to fall in love with Rose. Gypsy is arguably one of the best musicals ever written and has been revived many times on Broadway.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Ralph Sharon Trio, sang Small World at the 1962 concert in Washington, D.C. The concert was taped and released in 2013 as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

Small World - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to Small World - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2013

“Small World,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Friday, August 20, 2021, is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn. It’s a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards, and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It Had To Be You” in 1964 with The Ralph Sharon Trio, for the album When Lights Are Low.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

I have a very special video of Tony singing “It Had To Be You” on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1965. The recording is breathtaking.