"Never No Lament" (Duke Ellington) was the original title and record issued by Duke (Edward) Ellington and His Famous Orchestra in 1940. Among the honours awarded Duke Ellington: fourteen Grammys including a Lifetime Achievement Award, several honorary degrees from Colleges and Universities, Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, Presidential Medal of Freedom, French Legion of Honour and a posthumous Pulitzer.

The Ink Spots (lead vocalist Deek Watson, Bill Kenny, Charlie Fuqua and Hoppy Jones) topped the charts with "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (Duke Ellington - Bob Russell) when Bob Russell added lyrics in 1942. The vocal version topped the R&B chart while reaching number two on the national pop chart. Duke Ellington's instrumental original version was also a hit that year when it peaked at number eight on Billboard. In 1967 an American federal judge ruled that the name "Ink Spots" was being used by so many groups that it could be used by anyone as public domain.