The song of the day for Saturday, November 29, 2025, is “Day Dream.”

About Today

We are honoring Billy Strayhorn on the anniversary of his birth on November 29, 1915, in Dayton, Ohio; the family moved to Pittsburgh soon after his birth. He was a serious piano student who originally studied classical music but switched to jazz in his late teens. One of his most well-known songs is “Lush Life,” was written when Strayhorn was a teenager. You can learn more about Billy Strayhorn at billystrayhorn.com.

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1939 by Billy Strayhorn with lyrics by John LaTouche. The song was widely recorded, including a 1940 recording by Johnny Hodges. Other significant recordings include those by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Chet Baker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” on May 25, 1964, accompanied by Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums).

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got the 1962 recording of “Day Dream” by Strayhorn and Johnny Hodges:

Billy Strayhorn died from esophageal cancer in 1967. He continued to compose while hospitalized, including his final composition “Blood Count.” Soon after his death, Duke Ellington recorded a memorial album to his friend and colleague, And His Mother Called Him Bill. During the recording of that album, while everyone was taking a break, Ellington began to play Strayhorn’s song “Lotus Blossom,” which the engineer decided to record thankfully.