Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Sunday, July 2, 2017 is “Solitude.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “Solitude” in 1934, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short (per Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards). It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

I was listening to Bennett’s 1962 Carnegie Hall concert one day last week and his version of “Solitude” in that concert was just wonderful! So, it’s our song of the day, from Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. I hope you enjoy it!

“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.