The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Sunday, March 27, 2022, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe in Spring” was composed by Michel Legrand for the 1967 film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. Jacques Demy wrote the original French lyrics; 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 1976 for their second album, Together Again.

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

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Monday, January 17, 2022, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written by Michel Legrand for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. Jacques Demy wrote the original French lyrics; Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the English lyrics. “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 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey played this recording on their program Radio Deluxe this weekend in a program dedicated to lyricist Marilyn Bergman, who died last week. They reminded me just how perfect Tony sings on this record, and so I’m happy to present it as the song of the day.

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

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 18, 2021, 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. 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 recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” for his 1986 album The Art of Excellence, his first album after rejoining Columbia. This song, as well as all the other songs on the album, was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli. The wonderful photograph of Bennett on the cover of the album was taken by Annie Liebovitz. Note the Twin Towers in the background.

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

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites