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 Friday, March 25, 2022, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About Today

Today we are honoring the late Aretha Franklin, who was born on March 25, 1942.

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 Bert Reynolds and Goldie Hawn.

About This Version

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

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

Here’s the music video of this recording.

And while we’re paying tribute to Aretha Franklin, this clip from the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015 is one of the greatest moments I’ve ever seen.

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

The song of the day for Monday, January 110, 2022, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is saddened by the death of Marilyn Bergman, who wrote the lyrics to today’s song with her husband Alan. She died on Saturday, January 8, 2022, in her home in Los Angeles. We offer our sincere condolences to her husband Alan, her daughter Julie Bergman, and all of her friends and family.

When Frank Sinatra died in 1995, Ms. Bergman called Tony Bennett and told him that he had to assume Sinatra’s place as the keeper of the Great American Songbook. I have to wonder who, if anyone, can fill in for Marilyn Bergman in writing brilliant lyrics for these songs.

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, 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. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?,” as well as Duets II 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 Friday, July 9, 2021, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written in 1982, with music by Michel Legrand and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 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 recorded this version of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” in 2011 with Aretha Franklin for Duets II.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing

Listen to How Do You Keep The Music Playing on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin · 2011

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

Please enjoy this video of Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin in the studio while they recorded this song.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, Mar25, 2020, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About Today

Today, the Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor the late Aretha Franklin on the anniversary of her birth on March 25, 1942. *-

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman. This song was written 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).

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” in 2011 for Duets II.

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

We are happy to present the video on Tony and Aretha recording today’s song.

Watch that little tear from Tony at the end of the song. Beautiful!

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

The song of the day for Monday, March 25, 2019, is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

About This Song

This song was written for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The song was composed by Michel Legrand and the lyrics are by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. 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

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

How Do You Keep The Music Playing

How Do You Keep The Music Playing, a song by Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin on Spotify

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

We’ve also got the video that Tony made with Aretha …

How Do You Keep The Music Playing (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

Music video by Tony Bennett & Aretha Franklin performing How Do You Keep The Music Playing. (C) 2012 Columbia Records, a divison of Sony Music Entertainment

About Today

Today we are remembering the great Aretha Franklin, who was born on March 25, 1942 in Detroit Michigan. Her father was a preacher and she grew up singing gospel music in the church. Miss Franklin released her first secular album in 1961 and her last album, A Brand New Me, in 2017.

Aretha Franklin died at home in Detroit on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. Her homegoing ceremony was held on August 31, 2018 and was televised live (your author streamed it over her cell phone while at work; it was amazing). She was buried in a pair of five-inch heels, custom-made by Christian Louboutin.

Miss Franklin appeared at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015, when Carole King was honored. Miss Franklin sang “Natural Woman,” written for Aretha by Carole King. It’s one of greatest performances I’ve ever seen.

Aretha Franklin (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Kennedy Center Honors 2015

Full segment of Aretha Franklin (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Kennedy Center Honors 2015. Chilina Kennedy, plays Carole King in Beautiful, the musical, introduces Aretha.