The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, November 5, 2026, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

“Blue Moon” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934. The ballad has been widely recorded by artists including Ted Fiorito, Al Bowlly, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Nat Cole. The song was the basis for the 2025 film Blue Moon, starring Ethan Hawke, who portrayed Lorenz Hart and was nominated an Academy Award for his performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blue Moon” with the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet (Braff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Giuffrida on bass) in September 1973. The recording was first released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs.

“Blue Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

We have a lovely recording of “Blue Moon,” recorded in 1935 by Ray Noble and His Orchestra, with Al Bowlly on vocals. The recording is from an album named Easy to Remember — Songs of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The album has period recordings by artists including Paul Whiteman, Sophie Tucker, and Al Jolson. The quality of the recordings is outstanding.

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Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Thursday, October 1, 2026, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

“I Could Write a Book” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” in September 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released in 1976 on his Improv Label. Accompanying Bennett was The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Giuffrida on bass.

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There’s a Small Hotel

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, is “There’s a Small Hotel.”

About This Song

“There’s a Small Hotel” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart was originally written for the 1935 musical Jumbo, but dropped. It was used in the 1936 On Your Toes, where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’s a Small Hotel” in September 1973. It was originally released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Accompanying Bennett was the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Graff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Giuffrida on bass.

“There’s a Small Hotel,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Thursday, January 15, 2026, 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 July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Accompanying Bennett was The Ruby Braff/George Barnes with Braff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

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

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Song of the Day: There’s a Small Hotel

The song of the day for Saturday, October 25, 2025, is “There’s a Small Hotel.”

About This Song

“There’s a Small Hotel” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1935. Originally written for the musical Jumbo, it was used the next year in On Your Toes, where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson. The song has been recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Della Reese, in addition to Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’s a Small Hotel” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It was released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

“There’s a Small Hotel,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.