The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 11, 2026, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Munday, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

On June 12, 1945, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra came to Capitol Records to record some songs for an album. Johnny Mercer, who had recently co-founded the studio, learned that Trummy Young, who had brought his girlfriend Billie Holiday with his to the studio, and Jimmy Munday had written a new song. Mercer quickly wrote the lyrics to the song and got Whiteman to record it with Billie Holiday. She was credited as Lady Day on the recording as she was under contract with another studio.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett on Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that 1945 recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, with Billie Holiday on vocals.

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 10, 2026, is “Over the Rainbow.”

About Today

We are remembering the great Judy Garland, who was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, on June 10, 1922.

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written in 1939 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Probably the most widely known of all Arlen’s and Harburg’s songs, “Over The Rainbow” is from the The Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed down the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song.

“Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts. The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that “the song has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over The Rainbow” on August 15, 1960, for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Over the Rainbow” as well as Tony Bennett Sigs a String of Harold Arlen, is available on Apple Music.

We have two wonderful videos about today’s song.

You can the full segment of Harburg’s appearance on that program here.

And, to wrap up this look at “Over the Rainbow,” here’s Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 9, 2026, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical Lost in the Stars, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” at his concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. The resulting album, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962. Ralph Sharon arranged all the songs for the concert and led the orchestra as well. The concert, as well as the album, was a triumph. The original album was released on 4 LP records and only included 28 songs. The 1997 2-CD release contained the full concert.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Just a Lucky So and So

The song of the day for Monday, June 8, 2026, is “I’m Just a Lucky So and So.”

About This Song

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So” was written in 1945 by Duke Ellington and Mack David. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall, Mose Allison, and Harry “Sweets” Edison with Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” live at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. The concert 2-LP album, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, was released in August 1962.

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

Duke Ellington, with Al Hibbler, recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” on November 26, 1945.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Sunday, June 7, 2026, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All the Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett performed “All the Things You Are” live on June 9, 1962, at Carnegie Hall; the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall was released in August 1962. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

In researching today’s song, I came across an episode of Marian McPartland‘s Piano Jazz with Stephen Sondheim, where Sondheim analyzes and deconstructs “All the Things You Are.” There’s a fair amount of music theory in the discussion, but I think you might enjoy it.