The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Friday, July 7, 2023, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1957 for the Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Does It Do” on April 18, 1960, for his album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “What Good Does It Do” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, which was captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall. Bennett had previously recorded the song for his 1960 album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen.

What Good Does It Do (From "Jamaica") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to What Good Does It Do (From "Jamaica") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Tony Live! What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Saturday, February 8, 2020, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed him. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations, and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Good Does It Do” for his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, captured on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Thursday, November 12, 2015 is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written in 1957 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Harburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Harburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Good Does It Do” in 1960 for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, which was released in 1961. This was Bennett’s first album to pay tribute to a composer. This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

What Good Does It Do

Listen to What Good Does It Do on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1960.


“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

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