The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About Today

Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday was released 28 years ago on February 4, 1997.

In 2014, a reader left a thoughtful comment on The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, our sister site, about this album:

I was surprised to discover that Tony Bennett’s tribute to Lady Day rang truer than all of the other attempts to politicize her, racialize her, or use her as a self-promotional “career stepping stone.” Tony captures the Lady of the Gardenias that struck Sinatra to the core when he first heard her in the late ’30s, causing him to list her as chief among all his inspirations and influences.

I couldn’t agree more.

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy in 1942. Paul Whiteman was set to record the song for Capitol Records, founded by Johnny Mercer. Trummy Young brought his girlfriend, Billie Holiday. Mercer quickly wrote the lyrics to the song so that Holiday could record the vocals. As Holiday was under contract with Columbia at the time, she was credited as Lady Day on the record.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1942 recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” with Paul Whitman and His Orchestra:

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Saturday, December 28, 2024, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was composed in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was introduced by Billie Holiday with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra in 1942. “Trav’lin’ Light” has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn, and Anita O’Day, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1966 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released, in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1942 recording by The Paul Whiteman Orchestra with Billie Holiday:

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Song of the Day: I Wanna Be Around

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 11, 2024, is “I Wanna Be Around.”

About This Song

“I Wanna Be Around” was written in 1959 by Johnny Mercer and Sadie Vimmmerstedt.

The “I Wanna Be Around” story is legendary in the music business. Sadie Vimmerstedt, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, was a big fan of Johnny Mercer’s music. She wrote the opening line ‘I want to be around to pick up the pieces when somebody breaks yours heart’ and felt it sounded like a Johnny Mercer song. She mailed a letter to ‘Johnny Mercer, Songwriter, New York.’ The post office forwarded the letter to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), who got the letter to Mercer.

Mercer wrote the melody himself, completed the lyrics for “I Wanna Be Around” in 1959, and asked Tony Bennett to record it, which he did in 1962. Mercer gave 50% of the profits to Ms. Vimmerstedt, which made her a wealthy woman and enabled her to retire and travel the world. It is one of the great songs in the American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wanna Be Around” on October 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963, Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“I Wanna Be Around,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Sunday, November 10, 2024, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. David Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for “The Bad and the Beautiful,” which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again), his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” 65 years ago today on November 10, 1959, for To My Wonderful One. The album was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Autumn Leaves

The song of the day for Monday, October 14, 2024, is “Autumn Leaves.”

About This Song

“Autumn Leaves” was written in 1945 by Joseph Kosma. The original French title was “Les feuilles mortes” (The Dead Leaves) and Jacques Prévert was the lyricist. Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics in 1947 and used the title “Autumn Leaves.” Jo Stafford was the first artist to record the song with the English lyrics. Other notable recordings include those by Edith Piaf and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of Autumn Leaves on October 14, 1964, for his album Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement.

“Autumn Leaves,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music.