The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Thursday, April 24, 2025, is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

“Crazy She Calls Me” was written by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell (originally titled “Crazy He Calls Me) in 1949. In addition to Billie Holiday’s recording of this song, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1949 recording of “Crazy He Calls Me.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, April 7, 2025, is “These Foolish Things.”

About Today

We are honoring the great Billie Holiday, who was born on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (as Holt Marvell). Although written and first performed in 1936, “These Foolish Things” was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’s agent refused to publish the song, and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including ones by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman. “These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1936 recording of “These Foolish Things” by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Saturday, December 28, 2024, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was composed in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was introduced by Billie Holiday with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra in 1942. “Trav’lin’ Light” has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn, and Anita O’Day, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1966 for 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 the 1942 recording by The Paul Whiteman Orchestra with Billie Holiday:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Friday, September 13, 2024, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written in 1934 by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslaw. The song was written for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it.

Billie Holiday recorded “My Old Flame” for Commodore Records in 1944.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Lady Day’s 1944 recording of “My Old Flame.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lover Man

The song of the day for Saturday, July 6, 2024, is “Lover Man.”

About This Song

“Lover Man” was written in 1941 by Jimmy Davis, Roger “Ram” Ramirez, and James Sherman for Billie Holiday. Her recording of “Lover Man” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989. Other significant recordings include those by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Evans and Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lover Man” on April 4, 1961, for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. The entire album was arramged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“Lover Man,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1946 recording of “Love Man,” recorded Billie Holiday: