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

Today is Aretha Franklin’s birthday! In honor of her birthday, the song of the day for March 25, 2014 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 and Marilyn Bergman, in 1982 for the movie Best Friends. The song, along with three others written by the Bergmans, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song has been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Barbra Streisand and many more popular singers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett tells this story in his autobiography The Good Life, as he talks about the creation of The Art of Excellence:

I included a song on that album called “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, which I first heard Sinatra sing. One night I went to see Frank perform at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. I had no idea he knew I was there, but right after he finished singing the song, he said to me, in full view of thousands of people, “Tony! You should sing this song!” How could I refuse?

I had the great pleasure of hearing Tony Bennett sing this song live in concert and it was wonderful. The song is a favorite of mine, as is the duet with Miss Franklin. The Year of Tony Bennett wishes her a very happy birthday. But enough talking … time for a song.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4LTa2DALHWoAvFKQwsRugj
“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as the album Duets II, is available from iTunes.

And even though it isn’t Saturday, the video of these two magnificent musicians recording this song cannot be missed.

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

The song of the day for Saturday, February 22, 2014 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 and Marilyn Bergman. It was written for a 1982 movie called Best Friends that starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn and was initially recorded as a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram. Frank Sinatra recorded this song in 1984 and encouraged Tony Bennett to record it. It remains a very popular song with popular and cabaret artists.

About This Version

Today’s version is Bennett’s first recording from 1986 for his comeback album The Art of Excellence (and boy, was it excellent). The song was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli, with whom Bennett continues to work.

My co-blogger Lesley and I were just discussing how much we love the songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman because they understand mature love and write eloquently about it. Today’s song is a perfect example.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7FKpxwRQeBorSxzNKOXbbM
“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as the remastered The Art of Excellence album, is available from iTunes.

And as it’s YouTube Saturday, I’m more than happy to have an excuse to, once again, show the video of Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recording this song for Duets II. Watch the tear towards the end. I dare you to not get a lump in your throat.

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Duets II: How Do You Keep The Music Playing

How Do You Keep The Music Playing, with music by Michel LeGrande and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, was written in 1982. Tony Bennett first recorded the song in 1986 for The Art of Excellence and has performed it ever since.

This video was made of the Duets II session with Aretha Franklin. The single tear running down his cheek at the end of this song is an extraordinary moment that reminds us what he puts into every song he sings.