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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

April 30, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” was composed by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1982 movie Best Friends. 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’s version is from Tony Bennett’s wonderful 1986 album The Art of Excellence, which is quite excellent. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

Listen to How Do You Keep The Music Playing? on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1986.


“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?,” as well as The Art Of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video is today’s song as sung by Tony and Aretha Franklin from Duets II.

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Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Best Friends, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, The Art of Excellence

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