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 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:

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, January 4, 2021, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (credited as Holt Marvell due to a contract issue). “These Foolish Things” was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’s 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett his first recording of “These Foolish Things” in 1956 for the album Tony. Ray Conniff wrote the orchestration and conducted.

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

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Friday, July 10, 2020, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written by Jack Strachey, featuring lyrics by Eric Maschwitz (credited as Holt Marvell) 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.org and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “These Foolish Things” in 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli conducted and arranged. The image of Billie Holiday on the cover of the album is from a painting of Lady Day by Tony Bennett, who signs his paintings by his family name, Benedetto.

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

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Friday, August 23, 2019, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (as Holt Marvell). “These Foolish Things” 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” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It’s one Bennett’s best albums and is his tribute to Billie Holiday.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s version, recorded in 1936 with Teddy Wilson.

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, April 23, 2018 is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936, with music by Jack Strachey and lyrics by Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell). 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 this version of “These Foolish Things” in 1956 for the album Tony. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.


“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony, is available from iTunes.

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