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

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 25, 2015 is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand (music) and Alan and Marilyn Bergman (lyrics0) 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 and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Duets II and is his wonderful duet with Aretha Franklin. This version was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett would like to wish Aretha Franklin a very happy birthday today. Miss Franklin was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. As a child, she sang in her father’s church and by the age of 18 began her professional career with Columbia Records. She soon moved to Atlantic Records and started making the songs that were huge hits then and are completely iconic now: “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” among others.

She has won 18 Grammy Awards and has received many honors, including her inductions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (she was the first woman to be so honored), the UK Music Hall of Fame and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She was ranked #1 in the Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Even though it’s not a Saturday, we include the beautiful video of Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recording today’s song. I could watch this video forever. Especially starting at 4:19 to the end. I love that single tear.