The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 25, 2022, is “How Insensitive.”

About Today

We are very pleased to honor Antônio Carlos Jobim, who was born in Rio de Janeiro on January 25, 1927. Jobim popularized bossa nova to the world, including today’s song “How Insensitive” or “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese.

About This Song

Antônio Carlos Jobim wrote “How Insensitive” in 1963, with the Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes. Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” on February 18, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. It was released in 1965 on the album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set.

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

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Saturday, May 29, 2021, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive,” or “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese, was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1963. The original Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore!.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set. Don Costa wrote the arrangement.

How Insensitive

Listen to How Insensitive on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.

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

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Monday, February 18, 2019, is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Written in 1963, Antonio Carlos Jobim based this composition on Chopin’s “Prelude No. 4.” This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore, Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording. The original Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; Norman Gimbel wrote the English version of the lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. Don Costa did the arrangement.

How Insensitive

How Insensitive, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Monday, July 17, 2017 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Written in 1963 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jobim based this composition on Chopin’s “Prelude No. 4.” The original Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore, Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, which features a photograph of Rio de Janeiro on its cover. The arrangement was done by Don Costa.

How Insensitive

Listen to How Insensitive on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.


“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 5, 2015 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive” (known as “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese) was written in 1963 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with the Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes. Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. The melody was based on Frédéric Chopin’s Prelude No.4. Interestingly, “insensatez” in Portuguese is typically translated as folly or absurdity.

This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore and the Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording. American singers include Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Diana Krall and many, many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965. It is the third song on the album, following “Fly Me To The Moon” Arranged by Don Costa, the recording features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums) and also features Al Cohn on tenor sax. It’s a perfect bossa nova song.

How Insensitive

Listen to How Insensitive on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1965.


“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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