The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Thursday, February 19, 2026 is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade. Early recordings include Cab Calloway and Frank; Sinatra with the Dorsey Brothers (when they were still talking to each other). Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” in June 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and lead his trio (Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums).

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)

The song of the day for Monday, February 16, 2026, is “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good).”

About This Song

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1934 for their last show at the Cotton Club, where it was sung by Adelaide Hall. This song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Audra McDonald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good),” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday‘s 1956 recording of “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” from All Or Nothing At All.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, is “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me.”

About This Song

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” was written in 1933 by Rube Bloom and Ted Koehler for the Cotton Club Parade – World’s Fair Edition. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Joni Mitchell, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” in June 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank, Bennett’s tribute to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Frank Sinatra‘s recording “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” with a Nelson Riddle arrangement, from his 1957 album Where Are You.

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Song of the Day: Stormy Weather

The song of the day for Thursday, November 6, 2025, is “Stormy Weather.”

About This Song

“Stormy Weather” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1933. Written during Arlen’s association with Cotton Club, “Stormy Weather” was first sung by Ethel Waters at the Cotton Club in 1933. Lena Horne, who sang with Tony Bennett in the 1970s, recorded this song in 1941 and remains strongly associated with it. 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 on June 26, 2001, for Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings The Blues. Rob Mathes arranged the vocals.

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

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

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Song of the Day: Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me

The song of the day for Saturday, October 11, 2025, is “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me.”

About This Song

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” was written in 1938 by Rube Bloom and Ted Koehler for the World’s Fair edition of the Cotton Club show in 1939. Significant recordings include those by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, and Count Basie with Joe Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” on April 4, 1961, for My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted.

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

I found a couple of different versions of “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” you might enjoy.

Count Basie and Joe Williams from Basie’s 1957 album One O’Clock Jump:

Joni Mitchell from her 2000 album Both Sides Now: