The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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: This Can’t Be Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 10, 2024, is “This Can’t Be Love.”

About This Song

“This Can’t Be Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys From Syracuse.” It is one of their most joyous and least ironic love songs. Both Benny Goodman and Eddy Duchin recorded the song in the late 1930s. In addition to Tony Bennett’s fine recording here, “This Can’t Be Love” has also been recorded by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Can’t Be Love” in July 1973 for his album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released in 1976. Accompanying Bennett was The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. Even without either piano or drums, it’s a lovely sound for these Rodgers and Hart songs.

The album was released on Bennett’s Improv label, created after he left Columbia Records.

“This Can’t Be Love,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Wish I Were In Love Again

The song of the day for Saturday, March 15, 2024, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About Today

We are remembering Ruby Braff on the anniversary of his birth on March 16, 1927. Braff was a noted cornet and trumpet player. Braff, with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, played for Tony Bennett’s two albums of Rodgers and Hart songs: Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs and Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, both released on Bennett’s own Improv label in 1973.

About This Song

“I Wish I Were In Love Again” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. It was a favorite song of Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Audra McDonald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet (Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass), for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart, released in 1973.

In 1973 Tony Bennett and The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet did a concert at Alice Tully Hall in New York. Whitney Balliett wrote a profile essay called “A Quality That Lets You In” for the January 7, 1974, issue of The New Yorker. Here’s an excerpt:

The concert at Alice Tully the next evening is billed as “An Evening with Rodgers and Hart,” and it is a smooth and engaging success. The hall is sold out, and the audience is hip. Bennett sings the verses of most of the songs and by the time he gets a note or two into the chorus there is the applause of recognition. He sings twenty-one Rodgers-and-Hart tunes, and many are memorable. He sings a soft, husky “Blue Moon,” and then comes a muted Ruby Braff solo. “There’s a Small Hotel” is even softer, and Braff and George Barnes react with pianissimo statements. The group, indeed, is impeccable. The solos are beautiful and the dynamics all anticipate Bennett’s. He does “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” as an encore. The ovation is long and standing.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Wish I Were In Love Again

The song of the day for Saturday, July 15, 2023, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “I Wish I Were In Love Again” for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. It was a favorite song of Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in July 1973. It was. released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” 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 Wednesday, September 15, 2021, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Thou Swell” 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.” It’s a personal favorite of your author.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” with The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet in 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.