The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Sentimental Journey

The song of the day for Friday, April 3, 2026, is “Sentimental Journey.”

About Today

We are honoring the late Doris Day, who was born on April 3, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1937 she joined Les Brown and His Band of Renown, where she recorded “Sentimental Journey,” which was rated #1 on the charts.

About This Song

“Sentimental Journey” was written in 1944 by Les Brown and Ben Homer, with lyrics by Bud Green. It was a hit record for Les Brown and His Band of Renown; it featured Doris Day as vocalist and this song was her first #1 hit song. The song was popular in the US as soldiers returned home at the end of World War II. The song is a well-known standard and has been recorded by Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Ames Brothers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sentimental Journey” in July 1995 for Here’s to the Ladies, Bennett’s tribute to great women singers of the 20th century. The song is in tribute to Doris Day, who first recorded the song. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s to the Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Sentimental Journey,” as well as Here’s to the Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Doris Day’s 1944 recording of “Sentimental Journey” with Les Brown and His Band of Reknown:

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Song of the Day: Sentimental Journey

The song of the day for Saturday, October 4, 2025, is “Sentimental Journey.”

About This Song

“Sentimental Journey” was written by Les Brown, Ben Homer, and Bud Green in 1944. Les Brown and His Band of Renown had been performing the song, but were unable to record it due to the 1942-1944 musician’s strike. Once the strike had ended, Les Brown recorded the song, featuring Doris Day as vocalist. The recording was a hit, resulting in Doris Day’s first #1 hit.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sentimental Journey” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, which honored the great women singers of the 20th century. The song is in tribute to Doris Day, who first recorded the song. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“Sentimental Journey,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1944 recording of “Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown and His Band of Renown, featuring Doris Day.

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Song of the Day: Sentimental Journey

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 3, 2024, is “Sentimental Journey.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is remembering Doris Day, who first recorded today’s song with Les Brown and His Band of Renown. Doris Day was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 3, 1922, and died at 97 on May 13, 2019, in Carmel Valley, California. She began her career as a big band singer with Les Brown in 1939; “Sentimental Journey” was one of her #1 recordings in 1946. In addition to her singing career, Doris Day was a movie star in the 1950s and 1960s.

About This Song

“Sentimental Journey” was written in 1944 by Les Brown and Ben Homer, with lyrics from Ben Green. The song was a hit record for Les Brown and His Band of Renown; it featured Doris Day as vocalist and this song was her first #1 hit song. The song was popular in the US as soldiers returned home at the end of World War II. The song is a well-known standard and has been recorded by Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Ames Brothers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sentimental Journey” in July 1995 for his album songs associated with the great women singers, Here’s To The Ladies. “Sentimental Journey” was Miss Day’s representation on that album. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Sentimental Journey,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

Here’s Miss Day’s 1946 recording of “Sentimental Journey” with Les Brown and His Band of Renown:

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Song of the Day: You Showed Me The Way

The song of the day for Thursday, January 12, 2023, is “You Showed Me The Way.”

About This Song

“You Showed Me The Way” was written in 1937 by Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Webb, Teddy McRae, and Bud Green. Fitzgerald co-wrote this song when she was just 18 years old and singing with Chick Webb at the Savoy Ballroom. The song eloquently describes her joy and thanks for working with Webb.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Showed Me The Way” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“You Showed Me The Way,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the recording that Ella made with Chick Webb in 1937.

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Song of the Day: Sentimental Journey

The song of the day for Monday, January 9, 2023, is “Sentimental Journey.”

About This Song

“Sentimental Journey” was written in 1944 by Les Brown and Ben Homer, with lyrics by Bud Green. It was a hit record for Les Brown and His Band of Renown; it featured Doris Day as vocalist and this song was her first #1 hit song. The song was popular in the US as soldiers returned home at the end of World War II. The song is a well-known standard and has been recorded by Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Ames Brothers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sentimental Journey” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Doris Day, who first recorded the song. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Sentimental Journey,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1944 recording of “Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown and His Band of Renown, featuring Doris Day.