The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Friday, October 15, 2021, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written in 1937 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne. More recently, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sang a duet of this song on their 2011 album “Duets II.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” with The George Barnes – Ruby Braff Quartet in 1973 for the album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

The Lady Is A Tramp

Listen to The Lady Is A Tramp on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: This Can’t Be Love

The song of the day for Monday, October 4, 2021, is “This Can’t Be Love.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote this song 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 1973. It was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, on Bennett’s Improv label.

This Can"t Be Love

Listen to This Can"t Be Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“This Can’t Be Love,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Friday, October 9, 2020, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “I Could Write a Book” in 1940 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 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released in 1976 on Bennett’s Improv label. The Rodgers and Hart recordings were made with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s a lovely sound for these songs, even though without piano or drums.

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

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Song of the Day: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, March 5, 2020, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Blue Moon” in 1933. Although written in 1933, “Blue Moon” first appeared in the 1934 film Manhattan Melodrama, though with a completely different lyric. I can’t imagine any lyric other than the one we all know; it’s quite perfect.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blue Moon” in July 1973, and released it in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. He’s accompanied by The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. With neither piano or drums, the sound is perfect for the Rodgers and Hart songs.

“Blue Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Wait Till You See Her

The song of the day for Friday, June 28, 2019, is “Wait Till You See Her.”

About This Song

“Wait Till You See Her” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1942 Broadway musical By Jupiter, which starred Ray Bolger. Even though the song was well-recieved in previews, it was cut prior to opening in order to tighten up the show. Songs cut from productions are often lost, but Mabel Mercer loved the song and sang it regularly in her act. Other great recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald and Blossom Dearie.

We’re featuring this song today in honor of Richard Rodgers, who was born on June 28, 1902. Between his work with Larry Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, he bridged the history of American Musical Theater.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wait Till You See Her” in 1973, with the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s lovely sound for these songs.

“Wait Till You See Her” was released on the 1975 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, which was released on Bennett’s own Improv label.

Wait Till You See Her

Wait Till You See Her, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Wait Till You See Her,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from iTunes.

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