The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, April 7, 2025, is “These Foolish Things.”

About Today

We are honoring the great Billie Holiday, who was born on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (as Holt Marvell). Although written and first performed in 1936, “These Foolish Things” was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’s agent refused to publish the song, and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including ones by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman. “These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1936 recording of “These Foolish Things” by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson:

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Song of the Day: It’s Like Reaching For The Moon

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 9, 2024, is “It’s Like Reaching For The Moon.”

About This Song

“It’s Like Reaching For The Moon” was written in 1936 by Al Sherman, Al Lewis, and Gerald Marquesee. The song was first recorded in 1936 by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra and was a big hit for her. The song has also been recorded by Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbara Carroll.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s Like Reaching For The Moon” in May 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“It’s Like Reaching For The Moon,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson recording from 1936:

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Saturday, August 5, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell due to contractual issues). The song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman. “These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.org and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s version with Teddy Wilson, recorded on June 30, 1936:

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, January 16, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (as Holt Marvell). Although written and first performed in 1936, “These Foolish Things” was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’s agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman. ”These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” in June 1996 for the 1977 album Tony Bennett On Holiday. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1936 recording of “These Foolish Things” by Billie Holiday, with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra:

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Song of the Day: What A Little Moonlight Can Do

The song of the day for Saturday, January 14, 2023, is “What A Little Moonlight Can Do.”

About This Song

“What A Little Moonlight Can Do” was written in 1934 by Harry Woods while was living and working temporarily in London for a British film studio as a composer. One of the songs he wrote was “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” for a movie called Road House. Billie Holiday, with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, recorded the song in 1935.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” in June 1996 and released it in 1997 on the album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

“What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1935 recording by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra. And yes, that’s Benny Goodman on clarinet.