The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Friday, August 14, 2020, is “If I Ruled The World.”

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse for the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled The World” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set. The song was arranged by Don Costa.

“If I Ruled The World,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 12, 2020, is “The Lady’s In Love With You.”

About This Song

“The Lady’s In Love With You” was composed by Burton Lane, with lyrics by Frank Loesser, for the 1939 film Some Like It Hot (not to be confused with the excellent 1959 Billy Wilder film), where it was introduced by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. It’s been widely recorded, including those by Tony Bennett, Glenn Miller, Margaret Whiting, and Michael Feinstein.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Lady’s In Love With You” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans.

“The Lady’s In Love With You,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 11,2020, is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was written in 1944 by Victor Young; the lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946. This song was introduced in the 1944 film The Uninvited. The song was recorded in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It found its way as a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell, and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella By Starlight” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns arranged and conducted this song, as well as the entire album.

“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Monday, August 10, 2020, is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” was composed by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday, who won the Tony Award for her performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Tony Live! You’re All The World To Me

The song of the day for is “You’re All The World To Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All The World To Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “You’re All The World To Me” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged with The Ralph Sharon Trio.

“You’re All The World To Me” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

And here’s Fred Astaire, dancing on that ceiling, from Royal Wedding.