The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Why Do People Fall In Love

The song of the day for Thursday, November 13, 2025, is “Why Do People Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“Why Do People Fall In Love” was written in 1985 by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Lambert and Potter were a successful songwriting team. in the 1970s and 1980s. They wrote and produced songs for groups including the Four Tops, Dusty Springfield, Santana, Hall and Oates, and Glenn Campbell. Their work with Campbell resulted in a major hit song, “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Why Do People Fall In Love” on January 11, 1986, for The Art of Excellence, his first album with Columbia Records after he returned to the label. Jorge Calandrelli conducted the orchestra and wrote the arrangement, which includes a snippet of “People” from the musical “Funny Girl,” written by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.

“Why Do People Fall In Love,” as well as The Art of Excellence, 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, July 21, 2025, 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, 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 his album The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“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: A Rainy Day

The song of the day for Saturday, July 5, 2025, is “A Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“A Rainy Day” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 revue Flying Colors, which starred Clifton Webb, Imogene Coca, and Buddy and Vilma Ebsen.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Rainy Day” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, his first album after his return to Columbia Records. Jorge Calandrelli orchestrated and conducted the album. Annie Leibovitz took the iconic photograph on the cover of the album.

“A Rainy Day,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Monday, June 2, 2025, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, in 1967 for Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 for their album Look Around. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence, 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 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.