The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Monday, May 19, 2025, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written by Billy Strayhorn with lyrics by John LaTouche, in 1941 (though Duke Ellington was also listed as the co-composer on the first recording of the song,  it is widely accepted to be written by Strayhorn). The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” on May 25, 1964. “Day Dream” is one of five song Bennett recorded with Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks a Tony Bennett album with these musicians would have been extraordinary. They were released on the Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 disc included in the Tony Bennett Complete Collection box set released in 2011.

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1941 recording of “Day Dream,” with Strayhorn and Johnny Hodges.

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Friday, November 29, 2024, is “Day Dream.”

About Today

We remember Billy Strayhorn, born on November 29, 1915. Strayhorn was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger who collaborated with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington for nearly three decades. His compositions include “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Chelsea Bridge,” and “Lush Life”.

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Day Dream,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1941 recording of “Day Dream” with Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn:

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Song of the Day: She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, is “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good).”

About This Song

“She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” (originally titled ‘I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)’)was written by Duke Ellington and Paul Francis Webster in 1941. It was written for Ivie Anderson to sing in a revue called Jump For Joy. Anderson also recorded the song in 1941 with Johnny Hodges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement, which features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone.

“She’s Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot And Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Ivie Anderson 1941 recording with Johnny Hodges:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, August 22, 2024, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this recording by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day Dream” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999 for the centennial celebration of Duke Ellington’s birth. The song was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Day Dream,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performane.

Here’s the original recording with Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn on piano:

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, May 25, 2023, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Day Dream” on May 25, 1964, with an excellent jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). The trombonist on this recording is, alas, unknown. The recording was released on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music. I don’t know about you, but I would have loved a full album with this group. There are five recordings by this group on the Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 and they are all worth a listen.

Here’s the Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn 1941 recording: