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 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: Daybreak

The song of the day for Friday, August 29, 2025, is “Daybreak.”

About This Song

The music for “Daybreak” was written in 1926 by Ferde Grofé and Harold Adamson. The song “Daybreak” was part of a classical suite of songs by Ferde Grofé called Mississippi Suite, composed in 1925. In 1942, lyricist Harold Adamson took the theme from the final movement and wrote lyrics for it, resulting in the song “Daybreak.” The first recording of “Daybreak” was in 1942 by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with Frank Sinatra on vocals. Dinah Washington recorded “Daybreak” for her album I Concentrate On You, released in 1960.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Daybreak” in July 1995 for his tribute to the great women singers of the 20th century: Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Dinah Washington. 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.

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

Here’s Dinah Washington’s 1960 recording of “Daybreak.”

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Song of the Day: Cloudy Morning

The song of the day for Saturday, August 23, 2025, is “Cloudy Morning.”

About This Song

“Cloudy Morning” was written by Marvin Fisher (son of Fred Fisher and brother to Doris Fisher) and Joseph McCarthy, Jr. in 1958. This song has been recorded by several vocalists, including Julie London, Peggy Lee, and Carmen McRae.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Cloudy Morning” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, which honored the great female vocalists of the 20th century. Carman McRae was honored for her recordings of “Cloudy Morning.” Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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

Here’s Carman McRae’s 1964 recording of Cloudy Morning.

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Song of the Day: Moonlight in Vermont

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, is “Moonlight in Vermont.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is remembering Margaret Whiting, who was born on July 22, 1924. Her father was songwriter Richard Whiting, who wrote popular songs including “Hooray for Hollywood” and “Ain’t We Got Fun.” Margaret started her career as a band singer and one of her first hits was today’s song “Moonlight in Vermont,” recorded with Billy Butterfield’s Orchestra and which sold over one million copies. In addition to her career as a singer, she was a cabaret master teacher and held the position of Artistic Director of the annual Cabaret and Performance Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford Connecticut from 1989 through 2001.

About This Song

“Moonlight in Vermont” was written in 1944 by Karl Suessdorf and John Blackburn. The song was made famous by Margaret Whiting, who recorded it in 1944 with Billy Butterfield and his Orchestra. It has been popular ever since, with other recordings by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Moonlight in Vermont” in July 1995 for Here’s To The Ladies, which honored the great women singers of the 20th centuries by featuring their most significant recordings, including this for Margaret Whiting. Bill Holman wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Moonlight in Vermont,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 39th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Here’s Margaret Whiting’s 1945 recording of “Moonlight in Vermont.”

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Song of the Day: Tangerine

The song of the day for Friday, May 23, 2025, is “Tangerine.”

About Today

We are remembering Helen O’Connell today. She was born on Lima, Ohio on May 23, 1920. She sang on the first recording “Tangerine” with Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra in 1942 and is the singer that Bennett paid tribute to his recording of “Tangerine” on Here’s To The Ladies.

About This Song

“Tangerine” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer for the movie The Fleet’s In, which starred Dorothy Lamour, William Holden, Eddie Bracken and introduced Betty Hutton. The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, with vocalists Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly, made a very successful recording in 1942.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tangerine” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. For this album, Bennett included songs associated with the best female singers of the 20th century. Helen O’Connell was the vocalist associated with “Tangerine.” Bill Holman wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 39th Annual Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

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

Here’s the 1942 recording of “Tangerine” by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with vocalists Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell.

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