The song of the day for Monday, June 1, 2015 is “This Can’t Be Love.”
About This Song
“This Can’t Be Love” was written in 1938 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for their music The Boys Of Syracuse. I’ve always found it to be one of their least ironic and loveliest songs.
The musical The Boys Of Syracuse was based on Shakespeare’s A Comedy Of Errors. It was directed by George Abbott (who also wrote the book) and was choreographed by Jerome Robbins. The production ran for 235 performances.
In addition to this wonderful song, the score also contains two other favorites of mine: “Falling In Love With Love” and “Sing For Supper.”
Tony Bennett recorded Falling In Love With Love in 1965 for If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set and was arranged by Don Costa. It was released as bonus track on the CD reissue.
This version of “Sing For Your Supper” is from a 1997 studio recording of an Encores production that restored the original 1938 arrangements. The singers are Rebecca Luker, Debbie Gravitte and Sarah Uriarte Berry. Their trio is delightful.
About This Version
“This Can’t Be Love” was the first cut on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. It’s a fun, uptempo song that’s perfect to open the album with. I was completely sold as soon as I heard the first guitar chords followed by Bennett starting the song. Really, it’s perfect.
“This Can’t Be Love,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.
The Complete Improv Recordings also includes this alternate take of “This Can’t Be Love.”