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 Thursday, November 23, 2023, is “Where Do You Start.”

About Today

We are happy to celebrate the late Johnny Mandel, who was born on November 23, 1925, and died on June 29, 2020. Mandel was a composer of popular songs, film music, and jazz. He frequently collaborated with Tony Bennett, most memorably on the 1966 The Movie Song Album. He also wrote the theme song for the film (and later television show) M*A*S*H*, “Suicide is Painless.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was composed by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman in 1987. The 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 his album The Art of Romance. (An aside here: whenever I’ve introduced someone to Tony Bennett, I start by giving them this album. It creates a new fan each time.). Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement.

“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, November 13, 2023, 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, 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 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.

We also have the official video that shows the recording session with Miss Franklin.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Saturday, September 30, 2023, is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe in Spring” was written by Michel Legrand for the for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. The original French lyrics were written by Jacques Demy, who also directed the filme; the English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. “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.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Thursday, June 22, 2023, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written in 1967 by Michel Legrand for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. Jacques Demy, who directed the film, wrote the original French lyrics. The English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. “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, which was released in 1977.

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

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Sunday, March 19, 2023, 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.

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