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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 1, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Sunday, May 2, 2021, is “Thou Swell.”

About Today

Lyricist Lorenz Hart was born on May 2, 1895, in New York to Jewish immigrant parents. While studying journalism at Columbia University in 1919, he was introduced to Richard Rodgers and the rest was history. Hart died in 1943.

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “Thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” for the 1977 album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, recorded on Bennett’s on Improv label.

Thou Swell

Tony Bennett · Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook · Song · 1973

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Larry Hart, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings More Rodgers and Hart

July 5, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Monday, July 6, 2020, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Thou Swell” for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” in 1973, featuring the somewhat unusual, but quite perfect, The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s not often you see a group with piano or drums, but for these Rodgers and Hart songs, the sound is absolutely perfect. “Thou Swell” was released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Rodgers and Hart.

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Barnes, he Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, John Guiffrida, Larry Hart, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Ruby Braff, Tony Bennett Sings More Rodgers and Hart, Wayne Wright

May 2, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Saturday, May 2, 2015 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” in 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Rodgers and Hart, released in 1977. It was the second of two albums of Rodgers and Hart standards that Tony Bennett released on his own label, Improv. He was backed by the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. No drums, no piano. The arrangements and the sound are astoundingly good. I absolutely adore both of these albums of Rodgers and Hart songs.

About Today

The lyricist of today’s song, Lorenz Hart, was born 120 years ago today on May 2, 1895 in New York. He met Richard Rodgers when they were both college students at Columbia University, where they wrote songs for various college productions. They continued working together up until Hart’s death in 1943. Together they wrote many of the greatest songs in the American Songbook: “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “Falling In Love With Love” and many, many more. He stands today as one of the great American lyricists and his lyrics sound more contemporary today than ever.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

Since it’s YouTube Saturday here at The Year of Tony Bennett, we leave you a video from Tony and his new touring partner, Lady Gaga … “The Lady Is A Tramp.”

Filed Under: Song of the Day, Uncategorized Tagged With: George Barnes, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Ruby Braff, Tony Bennett Sings More Rodgers and Hart

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