Take the "A" Train Take the "A" Train "Take the 'A' Train" is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra. The use of the Strayhorn composition as the signature tune was made necessary by a ruling in 1940 by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). When ASCAP raised its licensing fees for broadcast use, many ASCAP members, including Ellington, could no longer play their compositions over radio, as most music was played live on radio at the time. Ellington turned to Billy Strayhorn and son Mercer Ellington, who were registered with ASCAP
Best Wishes (Duke Ellington song) Best Wishes (Duke Ellington song) "Best Wishes" is a 1932 Duke Ellington song, one of his own tunes, with words by Ted Koehler. The tune was first recorded 17 May 1932. However, in 1933 on a visit to England, Ellington claimed that "Since I have been in England I have composed a new number entitled Best Wishes, which was played and broadcast on June 14 (1933) for the first time." Ellington also stated that he had dedicated the song "the title not the lyrics", to Britain, that the tune would give British listeners "a better insight into the Negro mind".