Song of the Day: How Do You Keep the Music Playing

The song of the day for Saturday, February 22, 2014 is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was written for a 1982 movie called Best Friends that starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn and was initially recorded as a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram. Frank Sinatra recorded this song in 1984 and encouraged Tony Bennett to record it. It remains a very popular song with popular and cabaret artists.

About This Version

Today’s version is Bennett’s first recording from 1986 for his comeback album The Art of Excellence (and boy, was it excellent). The song was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli, with whom Bennett continues to work.

My co-blogger Lesley and I were just discussing how much we love the songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman because they understand mature love and write eloquently about it. Today’s song is a perfect example.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7FKpxwRQeBorSxzNKOXbbM
“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as the remastered The Art of Excellence album, is available from iTunes.

And as it’s YouTube Saturday, I’m more than happy to have an excuse to, once again, show the video of Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recording this song for Duets II. Watch the tear towards the end. I dare you to not get a lump in your throat.