The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Friday, September 18, 2026, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

“Blue Moon” was written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The song was introduced in their 1934 show Manhattan Melodrama, although with with a completely different lyric. Hart wrote the lyric we know today in 1934. It’s one of their most popular songs and has been widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Blue Moon” in 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released on his Improv label in 1976. He was accompanied the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet (Braff: cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright (guitar), and John Guiffrida (bass).

“Blue Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There’s a Small Hotel

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, is “There’s a Small Hotel.”

About This Song

“There’s a Small Hotel” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart was originally written for the 1935 musical Jumbo, but dropped. It was used in the 1936 On Your Toes, where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’s a Small Hotel” in September 1973. It was originally released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Accompanying Bennett was the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Graff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Giuffrida on bass.

“There’s a Small Hotel,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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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.