The song of the day for Saturday, February 8, 2025, is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

“Sophisticated Lady” was composed by Duke Ellington in 1932 as an instrumental; the lyrics by Mitchell Parish were added later. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by three of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.” “Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s “Stormy Weather.” It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sophisticated Lady” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, featuring an arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli. The album was released in Ellington’s centenary year. He was born in Washington, DC on April 29, 1899.

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

Here’s Ellington’s 1933 instrumental recording of “Sophisticated Lady,” which featured Toby Hardwick on alto sax, Barney Bigard on clarinet, Lawrence Brown on trombone, and Ellington on piano.