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

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 28, 2016 is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” was composed in 1982 with music by Michael Legrand and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. This song was written for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” in September, 2016 for the taping, in front of a live audience, of the recently aired television special Tony Bennett at 90 on NBC.

Here’s a nice photograph of Tony and all four of his children on the red carpet:

I have start off by saying that I absolutely adore this song, as I do just about all the songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Tony recorded it originally for his 1986 album The Art of Excellence and I fell in love with the song instantly. I had the great fortune to hear him sing it live in Seattle in 2007. My mother was living in a nursing home at that time; I stopped by there on my way up to Seattle to check in on her. We talked about the concert and about Tony Bennett for a while and, as I was leaving, she said “He really sends you, doesn’t he?” I replied “Yes, he sure does.” And still does.

I think this recording of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” is his finest. I hope you enjoy it too.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90, is available from iTunes.