The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Monday, February 24, 2020, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Friday, June 7, 2019, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger in 1928. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Don’t Cry Baby” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. This recording features Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 23, 2017 is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Don’t Cry Baby,” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie and Stella Unger. Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” twice: in 1950 and again in 2001. I’ve featured the 2001 recording several times, so I thought I’d present his 1950 version, which was arranged by Norman Leyden. It’s a really nice recording of this song and is fun to hear Bennett exercising his blues chops.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2011.


“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 4, 2017 is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” on October 1, 1950. This time, his arranger was Norman Leyden; the recording was produced by Mitch Miller. This early recording has always fascinated me. It’s a great song and you can feel the young Bennett stretching out just a bit for this blues song.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2011.


“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as all the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Thursday, December 18, 2014 is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie and Stella Unger in 1929. Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” in October, 1950, just six months after he signed with Columbia. It was arranged by Norman Leyden. This song is rather a departure from much of his early work and is one of my favorites from that first year at Columbia. He recorded the song again in 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2011.


“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as the other songs collected on The Columbia Singles, Volume 1, is available from iTunes.

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