The song of the day for Sunday, April 25, 2021, is “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.”

About This Week

This week we are celebrating the life of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, who was born in Washington. D.C., on April 29, 1899. He was one of America’s great composers, bandleaders, and pianists. Tony Bennett had a close friendship with Duke Ellington and recorded many of his songs, starting with today’s song “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.” We’ll also be including, when possible, recordings of Ellington’s orchestras playing the songs of the day.

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart” in 1938, with lyrics by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. It was a major hit for Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording that year, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song as one of his eleven favorites.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart” in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! It was arranged by Marion Evans, marking the first time they worked together.

“I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s original instrumental recording from 1938: