The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Let The Good Times Roll

The song of the day for Friday, May 9, 2025, is “Let The Good Times Roll.”

About This Song

“Let The Good Times Roll” was written in 1946 by Sam Theard and Fleecie Moore. This song, known as a “jump blues” song, was written by Sam Theard, a New Orleans singer and songwriter, with his wife, Fleecie Moore. Residents and visitors to New Orleans may be more familiar with the French version of the saying: Laissez le bon temps rouler. The first recording was in 1946 by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five. The song charted well on the Billboard R&B chart. Other recordings include those by Ray Charles, George Fame and the Blue Flames, Muddy Waters and Clifton Chenier.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and B.B. King recorded “Let The Good Times Roll” in May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the vocals arrangement.

Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Let The Good Times Roll,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a video of B.B. King singing today’s song live, from 1983:

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Friday, December 6, 2024, is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston, and Mack David. The Count Basie Orchestra recorded it in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole, Kay Starr, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. It was Kay Starr’s last recording.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1938 recording with The Count Basie Orchestra:

And here’s the Kay Starr recording from 1957:

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Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 5, 2024, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was a trumpet player and his mother was a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement and Gray Sargent, a member of the Ralph Sharon Quartet, was featured on guitar.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stormy Weather

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 6, 2024, is “Stormy Weather.”

About Today

We remember the late Natalie Cole, born on February 6, 1950, daughter of singer and jazz pianist Nat “King” Cole. Cole won her first Grammy in 1975 for Best New Artist Of The Year and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for “This Will Be.” Natalie Cole died on December 31, 2015.

About This Song

“Stormy Weather” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1933; the song was first sung at the Cotton Club by Ethel Waters. Lena Horne, who sang with Tony Bennett in the 1970s, recorded it in 1941 and remains strongly associated with this song. It has also been recorded by Kay Starr, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole recorded “Stormy Weather” in June 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues. It was arranged by Rob Mathes.

“Stormy Weather,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: New York State of Mind

The song of the day for Sunday, January 28, 2024, is “New York State of Mind.”

About This Song

Billy Joel wrote “New York State of Mind” in 1976 and performed it regularly in his concerts. It’s been recorded by many great artists, including Carmen McRae, Barbra Streisand. and Mel Tormé

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Billy Joel recorded “New York State of Mind” in June 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement.

“New York State of Mind,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available on Apple Music.