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 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’ve Got Five Dollars

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, is “I’ve Got Five Dollars.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Five Dollars” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1931 musical America’s Sweetheart, where it was introduced by Ann Sothern (who was still using her given name of Harriette Lake) and Jack Whiting. Notable recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Five Dollars” in July 1973 with The George Barnes/Ruby Braff Quartet (Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, Braff on trumpet, and John Guiffrida on bass). It was released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart in 1977.

“I’ve Got Five Dollars,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t It Romantic

The song of the day for Thursday, October 10, 2024, is “Isn’t It Romantic.”

About This Song

“Isn’t It Romantic” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1932 movie Love Me Tonight, starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. The song has proved to be one of their most popular and has been and still is widely recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Bill Evans Trio. In his book American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls “Isn’t It Romantic” a “perfect song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t It Romantic” in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. He was accompanied by The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

“Isn’t It Romantic,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Have You Met Miss Jones?

The song of the day for Sunday, August 18, 2024, is “Have You Met Miss Jones?.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Have You Met Miss Jones?” for the 1937 musical revue I’d Rather Be Right. It’s one of their sweetest and most charming love songs, as the young man who is introduced to Miss Jones and falls in love immediately. In addition to Bennett’s recording, other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have You Met Miss Jones?” in July 1973 for his album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. He was accompanied by The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, consisting of Braff on cornet, Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

“Have You Met Miss Jones?,” 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 Thursday, May 2, 2024, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating Lorenz Milton Hart, who was born 129 years ago on May 2, 1895. Larry Hart, the lyricist for today’s song, worked with Richard Rodgers starting in 1919, a partnership that continued until Hart’s death on November 22, 1942, from alcoholism. Their last new show was Jupiter, which opened in mid-1942. In 1943, they had guided a revival of A Connecticut Yankee, which opened in November 1943. Hart did not show up on opening night. He was found ill in his hotel room and died a few days later.

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 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 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 July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet for the album Tony Bennett sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

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