The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Thursday, April 24, 2025, is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

“Crazy She Calls Me” was written by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell (originally titled “Crazy He Calls Me) in 1949. In addition to Billie Holiday’s recording of this song, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1949 recording of “Crazy He Calls Me.”

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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: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Thursday, April 3, 2025, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

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

In 1942, Paul Whiteman and his band came to the newly formed Capitol Records for a recording session, to include a new composition by Trummy Young and Jimmy Munday, who were both at the session. Young also brought his girlfriend, Billie Holiday, to the session. Mercer quickly wrote lyrics for the song so Holiday could record it. As she was under contract with Columbia Records at that time, she was credited as Lady Day for the recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, which was released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

Here’s the original 1942 recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About Today

Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday was released 28 years ago on February 4, 1997.

In 2014, a reader left a thoughtful comment on The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, our sister site, about this album:

I was surprised to discover that Tony Bennett’s tribute to Lady Day rang truer than all of the other attempts to politicize her, racialize her, or use her as a self-promotional “career stepping stone.” Tony captures the Lady of the Gardenias that struck Sinatra to the core when he first heard her in the late ’30s, causing him to list her as chief among all his inspirations and influences.

I couldn’t agree more.

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy in 1942. Paul Whiteman was set to record the song for Capitol Records, founded by Johnny Mercer. Trummy Young brought his girlfriend, Billie Holiday. Mercer quickly wrote the lyrics to the song so that Holiday could record the vocals. As Holiday was under contract with Columbia at the time, she was credited as Lady Day on the record.

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 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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

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

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1942 recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” with Paul Whitman and His Orchestra: