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

The song of the day for Monday, March 24, 2024, is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?.”

About Today

Today we honor the late Aretha Franklin, who was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her father, Reverend Clarence La Vaughan Franklin, was a Baptist preacher, and her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, was a gospel singer who passed away when Aretha was ten. The Franklin family relocated to Detroit, where Aretha’s gifts were nurtured.

She became known as the Queen of Soul and had many hit records, including “Respect,” “Think,” and “A Natural Woman.” She died on August 16, 2018, at 76.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1982 movie Best Friends. 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

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” in 2011 for the album Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing?,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

We have a couple of videos for you today.

First is the official Vevo video of Bennett and Franklin’s recording of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

This video is from the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. Carole King was an honoree, and Miss Franklin was invited to sing King’s song “A Natural Woman.” The performance was outstanding and is remembered for making the First Couple, Barack and Micelle Obama, cry. It’s one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen.