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.