The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 11, 2026, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Munday, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

On June 12, 1945, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra came to Capitol Records to record some songs for an album. Johnny Mercer, who had recently co-founded the studio, learned that Trummy Young, who had brought his girlfriend Billie Holiday with his to the studio, and Jimmy Munday had written a new song. Mercer quickly wrote the lyrics to the song and got Whiteman to record it with Billie Holiday. She was credited as Lady Day on the recording as she was under contract with another studio.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett on Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that 1945 recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, with Billie Holiday on vocals.

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Billie Holiday on the anniversary of her birth on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Munday, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

On June 12, 1945, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra came to Capitol Records to record some songs for an album. Johnny Mercer, who had recently co-founded the studio, learned that Trummy Young, who had brought his girlfriend Billie Holiday with his to the studio, and Jimmy Munday had written a new song. Mercer quickly wrote the lyrics to the song and got Whiteman to record it with Billie Holiday. She was credited as Lady Day on the recording as she was under contract with another studio.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” 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.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett on Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, we have the Paul Whiteman and Lady Day recording of “Trav’lin’ Light.”

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell). 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” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

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

We have Billie Holiday’s 1936 recording of “The Foolish Things,” made with Teddy Wilson.

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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: Me, Myself, and I

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, is “Me, Myself, and I.”

About This Song

“Me, Myself, and I” was written in 1937 by Irving Gordon, with lyrics by Allan Roberts and Alvin S. Kaufman. Billie Holiday recorded “Me, Myself, and I” in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Me, Myself, and I” in June 1966 for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, his tribute to Billie Holiday. That album was released 29 years ago in February 4, 1997.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Me, Myself, and I,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here is Billie Holiday’s 1937 recording of Me, Myself, and I. Her orchestra included Buck Clayton, trumpet; Edmond Hall, clarinet; Lester Young, tenor sax; James Sherman, piano; Freddie Green, guitar; Walter Page, bass; ambd Jo Jones, drums.