The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Friday, June 20, 2025, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About Today

Summer is here! Time for swim suits, flip flops, and the beach.

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was written in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay. The original French lyrics were written by Eddy Marnay; Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics. Blossom Dearie recorded the first English version of “Once Upon a Summertime” in 1958 for her album of the same name. Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, and Sarah Vaughan recorded it in 1963, followed by Bill Evans in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon a Summertime” on October 19, 1962, for I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Once Upon a Summertime,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, 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, May 8, 2025, is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

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

Bill Evans, with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund, recorded “You Must Believe in Spring” in August 1977 (a month prior to the recording with Evans and Tony Bennett) for the album You Must Believe In Spring, posthumously released in February 1981.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to honor Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, who was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, TN. She won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Rolling Stone magazine named her the greatest singer of all time twice.

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 Lancaster and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, 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 arranged and conducted the recording.

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

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

We have two videos today.

First is the official video with Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin for today’s song. Keep an eye on Tony Bennett at 4:19–a single tear as they are finishing the song. I had the privilege of seeing him live many times and seeing how tuned in he was to his emotions when he sang. There will never be anyone as great as Tony Bennett.

Second is her appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors to honor Carol King by singing “Natural Woman.” This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. Keep an eye out 2:56 into the video and watch the entire audience go crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t think I ever will.

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

The song of the day for Saturday, January 11, 2025, 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 for the 1982 movie Best Friends, starring Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. 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 on January 10, 1986, for The Art Of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli orchestrated and conducted the album.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Monday, December 30, 2024, is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe in Spring” was composed by Michel Legrand for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. the original French lyrics were written by Jacques Demy; Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the English lyrics. This song 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.