The song of the day for Friday, November 17, 2017 is “Come Rain or Come Shine.”

About This Song

Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer wrote “Come Rain or Come Shine” in 1946 for the Broadway musical St. Louis Woman. The song itself is rather unusual, in that the same note repeated 12 times in the first two measures. In spite of that repetition, or perhaps because of it, the song works very well for the singer. Al Gioia in Jazz Standards says that “this composition tends to resist grandstanding, and instead appeals to the more introspective improviser.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Come Rain or Come Shine” in 1960 for his album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Composer, arranger, musician and band leader Glenn Osser did the arrangements for the entire album. I think it’s worth noting that the first album of Bennett’s that was devoted to an individual artist was to Harold Arlen. I am most grateful that Bennett not only recorded this album of Arlen songs, but has continued to sing and record Harold Arlen throughout his career.

“Come Rain or Come Shine,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.