The song of the day for Wednesday, August 30, 2023, is “Daybreak.”
About Today
We are remembering Dinah Washington, who was born on August 29, 1924, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Her family moved to Chicago when she was young. She sang gospel music as a child. By the age of 15, she had won a local talent contest and started performing in clubs. She was known as the Queen of the Blues.
About This Song
The song “Daybreak” was part of a classical suite of songs by Ferde Grofé called Mississippi Suite, composed in 1925. Lyricist Harold Adamson took the theme from the final movement and wrote lyrics for it in 1942, resulting in the song “Daybreak.” The first recording of “Daybreak” was made in 1942 by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with Frank Sinatra on vocals.
The song is in honor of Dinah Washington, who sang it regularly.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “Daybreak” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, with an arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli. Bennett recorded this song in honor of Dinah Washington, who recorded “Daybreak” in 1960.
“Here’s To The Ladies” won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
“Daybreak,” as well as “Here’s To The Ladies” is available on Apple Music.
Here’s Dinah Washington’s 1960 recording of “Daybreak” from her album I Concentrate On You.
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