The song of the day for Wednesday, April 29, 2015 is “Good Morning, Heartache.”

About This Song

“Good Morning, Heartache” was written in 1946 by Irene Higginbotham, Ervin Drake and Dan Fisher. The song is quite sad, sadder even than most ballads. The singer notes yet another day since his or her lover left and so wishes it a good morning and even invites it to sit done. Billie Holiday made the first and most well-known recording of this song. Other recordings include those by Etta Jones, Dinah Washington, Natalie Cole and Ann Hampton Calloway.

About This Version

Tony Bennett’s version of “Good Morning, Heartache” finds the deep despair in this song. Jorge Calandrelli’s arrangement is quite good, using a dark sound from the strings to great effect.

“Good Morning, Heartache,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Billie Holiday’s first recording of “Good Morning, Heartache” (MX W73300-A) was made on January 22, 1946. It was released on Decca 23676 with another song recorded at that session, “No Good Man.” She was accompanied by Bill Stegmeyer’s Orchestra, including Bill Stegmeyer (alto sax), Joe Springer (piano), Armand Camgros, Bernard Kaufman and Hank Ross (tenor sax), Gordon “Chris” Griffin and Joe Guy (trumpet), Tiny Grimes (guitar), John Simmons (bass) and Sidney Catlett (drums). There were four string players as well, but their names are not known.

“Good Morning, Heartache,” as well as Billie Holiday’s Greatest Hits, is available from .

The song of the day for Thursday, October 23, 201 is “Good Morning, Heartache.”

About This Song

“Good Morning, Heartache” was written in 1945 by Irene Higginbotham, Ervin Drake and Dan Fisher. Billie Holiday made the first recording of this song in January, 1946. Even though many other artists have recorded “Good Morning, Heartache,” the song is completely identified with Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1996 for his album in tribute to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. One of Miss Holiday’s pianists, Bobby Tucker, was a consultant on the album.

“Good Morning, Heartache,” as well as the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.