The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Monday, April 13, 2026, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Composer Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

If you love this song as much as I do, these are some of my favorite versions:

Nancy Lamott. Her recording of “Where Do Start” was the first time I heard the song. From her 1993 album My Foolish Heart.

Shirley Horn, from her breathtaking 1992 album Here’s To Life.

Barbra Streisand, from her wonderful album 2009 Love Is The Answer.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, on the anniversary of her birth on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennesee.

About This Song

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

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, 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 Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

We have the official video of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” with Tony Bennett and The Queen of Soul:

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Song of the Day: A Christmas Love Song

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the 10th day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Christmas Love Song.”

About This Song

“A Christmas Love Song” was composed in 1988 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It’s one of the most beautiful of recently written Christmas songs. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, it has been performed by many jazz and popular singers, including The Manhattan Transfer, Ann Hampton Callaway, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Count Basie Big Band, recorded “A Christmas Love Song” in 2004 for A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008.

“A Christmas Love Song,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 19, 2025, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It is one the great songs from the Bergmans with a beautiful melody by Johnny Mandel. This song has had many fine recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for The Art of Romance, released 21 years ago on November 19, 2004. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Monday, July 21, 2025, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”.

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.