The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Manhattan

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, is “Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Manhattan” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1925 Garrick Gaieties, where it was introduced by Sterling Hollywood. It was a huge hit that literally stopped the show. The song made its first film appearance the the following year in a short entitled Makers of Melody. The song has remained popular up to today and is frequently recorded by jazz and popular singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, “Manhattan” has been recorded by Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé and Dinah Washington. It is often used in films, including Silent Movie, Mighty Aphrodite, and The English Patient.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, recorded “Manhattan” in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“Manhattan,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook, 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 Thursday, October 2, 2025, is “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.”

About This Song

“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry 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 July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Playing for Bennett was the The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and 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 Sunday, August 17, 2025, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I Wish I Were In Love Again” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lary 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 Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Stacey Kent, and Joni Mitchell.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in June 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977. The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet accompanied Bennett for this album.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again” as well as , is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: This Can’t Be Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, is “This Can’t Be Love.”

About This Song

“This Can’t Be Love” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz 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, with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, recorded “This Can’t Be Love” from July 12-16, 1973, on his Improv label for the album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs in 1973. Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, was also released in 1973. The songs were later released on The Complete Improv Recordings and Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook.

The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet was formed in 1973, with Braff on trumpet and cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. In July 1973, Tony Bennett and the quartet performed a concert at Alice Tully Hall in New York. The quartet played instrumentals the first half of the concert; Tony Bennett joined them for the second half and sang Rodgers and Hart songs. They recorded those songs two weeks later.

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

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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.