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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

November 12, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Thursday, November 12, 2015 is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written in 1957 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Harburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Harburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Good Does It Do” in 1960 for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, which was released in 1961. This was Bennett’s first album to pay tribute to a composer. This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

What Good Does It Do

Listen to What Good Does It Do on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1960.


“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

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Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Harold Arlen, Jamaica, Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg

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