The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Friday, April 10, 2025, is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

“Sophisticated Lady” was written in 1932 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Mitchell Parish and Irving Mills. Ellington wrote it as an instrumental named “Never No Lament,” but changed the title to “Sophisticated Lady” after the lyrics were added.

Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by two of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.” “Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s “Stormy Weather.” It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sophisticated Lady” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

We have Ellington’s 1933 recording of “Sophisticated Lady” with Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, Juan Tizol, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney and more:

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

The song of the day for Sunday, March 22, 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. Ellington and Al Hibbler recorded the song first on November 26, 1945. Other notable recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, and Mose Allison.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1945 of “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” with Al Hibbler:

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Sunday, March 15, 2026, is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills. This song was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Dear Mr. Bennett

The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.

Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.

We’ve got Duke Ellington’s band and Ivie Anderson on vocals singing “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Sunday, February 22, 2026, is “The song of the day for is “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was written in 1931 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics credited to Irving Mills. This song was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got the original recording by Ellington with Ivie Anderson.

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Song of the Day: In a Sentimental Mood

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, is “In a Sentimental Mood.”

About This Song

“In a Sentimental Mood” was composed in 1935 by Duke Ellington; the lyrics by Manny Kurtz and Irving Mills were added later. The original 1935 Ellington recording features Otto Hardwick on alto sax; Benny Goodman recorded it that same year. Though the song has always been popular and is widely recorded, the 1962 recording with Ellington and John Coltrane is considered to be one of the most notable instrumental recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In a Sentimental Mood” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement. The album was released in 1999 to coincide with Duke Ellington’s centenary celebration.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“In a Sentimental Mood,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got “In a Sentimental Mood” from the 1963 album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane. It’s an extraordinary recording.