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

The song of the day for Saturday, June 17, 2017 is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written in 1982, with music by Michel Legrand and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was written for the 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 and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Today I’m featuring Tony Bennett’s first recording of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing,” from his 1986 album The Art of Excellence. And an excellent album it was!

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Duets II, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our Saturday video, I’m happy to feature one of Bennett’s greatest duet performances. Tony and Aretha Franklin sing “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”