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.