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 March 21, 2044 (the first full day of Spring), is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1938 film I Married An Angel, where it was introduced by Dennis King and Vivienne Segal. It’s one of Hart’s saddest 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” with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“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: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Friday, September 1, 2023, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

“Blue Moon” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1933. Although written in 1933, “Blue Moon” first appeared in the 1934 film Manhattan Melodrama, though with a completely different lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Blue Moon” in July 1973. It was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“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: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, July 16, 2023, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

“Blue Moon” was written in 1933 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz. It first appeared in the 1934 movie Manhattan Melodrama, though with a completely different lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blue Moon” in July 1973. The recording was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“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: Manhattan

The song of the day for Thursday, July 13, 2023, is “Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Manhattan” was written in 1925 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Garrick Gaieties. The song made its first film appearance the following year in a short entitled Makers of Melody. It 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 recorded “Manhattan” in July 1973. The recording was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

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

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Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 12, 2023, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About July 12/16

On July 12 and July 16, 1973, Tony Bennett and The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, recorded 24 Rodgers and Hart songs on Tony Bennett’s Improv label. Two weeks prior to these sessions, Bennett had appeared in concert with the quartet at Alice Tully Hall in New York. So, from the 12th to the 16th of July 2023, we’ll be featuring some of those recordings.

The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet consisted of Braff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 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” in July 1973. It was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.