How Do You Keep the Music Playing - James Ingram & Patti Austin - MP3 instrumental karaoke

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing” by James Ingram and Patti Austin was released in 1983 as part of the soundtrack for the film Best Friends. Written by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, the song tackles the challenge of maintaining love as people grow and change. It reached number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to number 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The arrangement blends soft orchestral textures with light jazz influences, giving it an elegant but intimate feel. James Ingram and Patti Austin deliver the lyrics with emotional control, making the message hit without sounding overly dramatic. “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song and has been covered by artists like Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, and Aretha Franklin. Still, the original recording remains the most iconic version thanks to the chemistry between the two vocalists and the honesty in their performance.