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, 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: Some Other Spring

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 25, 2026, is “Some Other Spring.”

About This Song

“Some Other Spring” was written in 1939 by Irene Kitchings, with lyrics by Arthur Herzog, Jr. Kitchings, the wife of bandleader Teddy Wilson, and Billie Holiday, who recorded the song in 1939; a link to that recording is included below. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Ben Webster, and Bill Evans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Some Other Spring” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted.

“Some Other Spring,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “Some Other Spring” on July 5, 1939. Here’s that recording.

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Song of the Day: A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

The song of the day for Friday, February 27, 2026, is “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet.”

About Today

Tony Bennett released Astoria: Portrait of the Artist 36 years ago on February 27, 1990. With this album, he honors the Astoria neighborhood where he grew up. It’s also an autobiographic look at his life when he returned home after his service in World War II.

About This Song

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” was written in 1932 by Harry M. Woods and Gus Kahn. It was first recorded by Ruth Etting in 1932. Other significant recordings include those by Al Bowlly with the Ray Noble Orchestra, The Lennon Sisters, Nat “King” Cole, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” on May 16, 1989, for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

We have Al Bowlly‘s 1933 charming recording of “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet.”

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Song of the Day: Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)

The song of the day for Monday, February 16, 2026, is “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good).”

About This Song

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1934 for their last show at the Cotton Club, where it was sung by Adelaide Hall. This song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Audra McDonald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” in June 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good),” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday‘s 1956 recording of “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” from All Or Nothing At All.

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Song of the Day: I Got Lost in Her Arms

The song of the day for Thursday, February 12, 2026, is “I Got Lost in Her Arms.”

About This Song

“I Got Lost in Her Arms” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1946 musical Annie Get Your Gun, which starred Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton. The song’s actual title is “I Got Lost in His Arms” and was introduced by Miss Merman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Got Lost in Her Arms” on January 10, 1986, for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“I Got Lost in Her Arms,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

We’re happy to present Ethel Merman singing “I Got Lost in His Arms” from the 1946 original cast album of Annie Get Your Gun.