The song of the day for Saturday, February 13, 2016 is “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky featured Miss Waters with the role of Joe played by Eddie Anderson. The song not used in the original Broadway version of Cabin in the Sky, produced in 1941.

As we speak, Encores! at the New York City Center is producing a staged concert version of the original score of Cabin in the Sky (and to rave reviews). For this presentation, and with the permission of all the estates associated with the Broadway production, “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” was used in this concert version. I still have my fingers crossed for a recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with only Ralph Sharon on piano, recorded “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” in 1959 for the album Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1961.

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe – Remastered

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe – Remastered, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video today is Ethel Waters singing “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” to her husband, played by Eddie Anderson. And yes, that’s Butterfly McQueen at the very beginning.

The song of the day for Saturday, January 24, 2015 is “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe.”

About This Song

“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, starring Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song was introduced by Ethel Waters, sung to her husband Joe, played by Dooley Wilson. The 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky also featured Miss Waters with the role of Joe played by Eddie Anderson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” on his legendary (well, legendary to me) album Tony Sings For Two. Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon went to the studio with a lot of sheet music and chose, arranged and recorded 19 songs at a single session! The results were an extraordinary album.

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe – Remastered

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe – Remastered, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

About Today

And, once again, it’s Saturday and that means a video. Here’s Ethel Waters singing today’s song to Dooley Wilson, from the 1943 film Cabin In The Sky: