The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 16, 2024, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschitz (as Holt Marvell). This song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one 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 widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” on September 12, 1956, for his second album Tony, released in 1957. It was arranged by Ray Conniff. FYI, Doc Severinsen played trumpet on this recording.

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

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)

The song of the day for Monday, October 9, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell for contractual reasons). Although written and first performed in 1936, the song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one 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 his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

Here’s Billie Holiday’s recording with The Teddy Wilson Orchestra, from 1936:

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 12, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About Today

Today’s song was recorded 67 years ago today on September 12, 1956.

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell due to recording contract issues). The song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one 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” on September 12, 1956, for his album Tony, which was released in 1957. Ray Conniff wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Saturday, August 5, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell due to contractual issues). The song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one 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.org and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

Here’s Billie Holiday’s version with Teddy Wilson, recorded on June 30, 1936:

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Saturday, November 20, 2021, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell for contractual reasons). The song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one 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 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, a tribute to the great Billie Holiday, who first recorded the song in 1937. The album won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. Tony Bennett painted the portrait of Billie Holiday used on the cover.

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

Here’s Lady Day’s 1937 recording of “These Foolish Things” with Teddy Wilson: