The song of the day for Friday, August 23, 2019, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (as Holt Marvell). “These Foolish Things” 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” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It’s one Bennett’s best albums and is his tribute to Billie Holiday.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s version, recorded in 1936 with Teddy Wilson.