The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 7, 2025, is “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams.”

About This Song

“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” was written in 1931 by Harry Barris, with lyrics by Ted Koehler and Billy Moll. The song is one of the classic Depression-era songs that hoped to help people forget their troubles and dream of better days. Bing Crosby made the first recording in 1931 with the Gus Arnheim Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” on September 29, 1964, for his album Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music. George Siravo wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Here is Bing Crosby‘s 1931 recording of “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,” with the Gus Arnheim Orchestra.

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

The song of the day for Monday, July 7, 2025, is “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good).”

About This Song

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” was written in 1934 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler 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 his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, consisting of songs associated with Billie Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

Billie Holiday recorded “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” in 1956 for her album All Or Nothing At All. It was her last album. Featured on the album were Harry “Sweets” Edison (trumpet) and Ben Webster (saxophone).

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Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, July 6, 2025, is “Get Happy.”

About This Lyricist

We’ll be featuring the work of Ted Koehler in our occasional look at lyricists. As Koehler and Harold Arlen worked together for many years, our songs for the next few days will mostly been written with Harold Arlen. I trust that won’t be a problem. 🙂

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1930 The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful song and dance performance in the 1950 film Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” live at Royal Albert Hall on January 31, 1971, with The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Robert Farnon. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement. The album of the concert, Get Happy With The London Philharmonic Orchestra, was released in September 1971.

“Get Happy,” as well as Get Happy with The London Philharmonic Orchestra, is available on Apple Music.

You can’t talk about the song “Get Happy” without visiting the 1950 film Summer Stock, starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly.

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

The song of the day for Friday, January 17, 2025, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written in 1932 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. 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 his album of Frank Sinatra songs, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Sharon, on piano, led the Ralph Sharon Trui, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop 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: I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 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, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considered it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got the World on a String” live at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. The recording was not included in the original LP release of Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, but was released on the 1997 CD release, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.