"Stormy Weather" was written specifically for Cab (Cabell) Calloway and the 1933 production "Cotton Club Parade". Cab had just left as Cotton Club bandleader in Harlem and the producers met with Ethel Waters who agreed to sing the song in the show. In her only appearance in the revue she introduced the classic "Stormy Weather" (Ted Kohler - Harold Arlen). In 1962 Ethel became the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Emmy.

The most successful version of "Stormy Weather" came from the Leo Reisman Orchestra featuring co-writer Harold Arlen on vocals. The track was edited here to include the vocal. This reached number one in 1933. Both Mitch Miller and Eddy Duchin were once Leo Reisman orchestra members.

The most recognizable take on "Stormy Weather" comes from Lena Horne. In reality her 1943 cover from the movie of the same name peaked at number twenty-one on Billboard. This version is from the motion picture. When Lena was sixteen she was a member of The Cotton Club chorus. Those attending her funeral in 2010 included Lauren Bacall, Vanessa Williams, Diahann Carroll, Leslie Uggams, Chita Rivera, Dionne Warwick, Leontyne Price, Liza Minnelli and Cicely Tyson.