The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman. This song was written for the 1992 movie Best Friends. where it was introduced by James Ingram and Patti Austin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” for his 1986 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.

As a special treat, here is the Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett duet of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” from Duets II.

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Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, September 12, 2026, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written in 1967 by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 released the first recording of “So Many Stars” in 1968. Other recordings include those by Sarah Vaughan, Cleo Laine, Helen Merrill, Susannah McCorkle, Natalie Cole, and Frank Sinatra, Jr.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s “So Many Stars,” recorded by Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 in 1967.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Friday, June 12, 2026, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe in Spring” was written by Michel Legrand, with English lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe in Spring” in September 1976, for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

We also have Bill Evans’s 1977 recording of “You Must Believe In Spring” from his album You Must Believe in Spring,” released posthumously in 1981.

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Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, May 30, 2026, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 album Look Around, released in 1968. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, his first album upon returning to Columbia Records. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s “So Many Stars” from Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 album Look Around. It was arranged by Dave Grusin; Lani Hall, married to Herb Albert since 1974, is the singer.

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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.