How Do You Keep the Music Playing?

For the Johnny Mathis album with the same title, see How Do You Keep the Music Playing? (album).

"How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" is a song composed by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the 1982 film Best Friends, where it was introduced by Patti Austin and James Ingram. The Austin/Ingram version became a single in 1983 and reached #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 55th Academy Awards.

Notable versions

• Susannah McCorkle — How Do You Keep the Music Playing (1985)
• Frankie Laine — Place in Time (1985) and Wheels of a Dream (1998)
• Andy Williams — Close Enough for Love (1986)
• Tony Bennett — The Art of Excellence (1986), Duets: An American Classic (with George Michael) (2006) and Duets II (with Aretha Franklin) (2011)
• George Benson with the Count Basie Orchestra (with Carmen Bradford) — Big Boss Band (1990)
• Shirley Bassey — Keep the Music Playing (1991)
• Steve Smith & Buddy's Buddies — Steve Smith & Buddy's Buddies
• Johnny Mathis — How Do You Keep the Music Playing? (1993)
• Pieces of a Dream — In Flight (1993)
• Frank Sinatra — L.A. Is My Lady (1984), Duets II (1994)
• Vocal Majority — How Do You Keep the Music Playing (1996)
• Carl Anderson — Why We Are Here! (1997)
• Maureen McGovern — The Music Never Ends: The Lyrics of Alan & Marilyn Bergman (1997)
• The SuperJazz Big Band of Birmingham, Alabama recorded the song on the CD, UAB SuperJazz, Featuring Ellis Marsalis (2001) Arranged and sung by Ray Reach.
• Barbra Streisand — The Movie Album (2003)
• Romina Arena & Mario Minati — How Do You Keep the Music Playing? The Single (2010)
• Martin Nievera (Featuring Kyla) — As Always (2010)
• Celine Dion — Loved Me Back to Life (Deluxe Edition) (2013)

Live versions

• Thomas Anders — Live Concert (1997)
• Céline Dion — Celine - A holographic duet with herself (2011)
• Brian McKnight & Kyla — Performed live at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila (2012)