Amy Winehouse’s Final Recording With Tony Bennett Remains One of the Most Beautiful Duets Ever

Amy Winehouse was sadly taken away from us way too soon. The legendary singer-songwriter released her debut studio album, Frank, back in 2003. Three years later, she followed it up with Back to Black — a seminal album that went on to become her major breakthrough. It is far from surprising, though. When she introduced herself to the music world, she did so with immense soul, an unmistakable vocal prowess, and an undeniable gift for songwriting. Yet, with such impact, no one can deny that her career in the music industry was short-lived. And perhaps, unbeknownst to casual listeners, the final song she ever recorded would serve as a haunting yet beautiful reminder of her extraordinary talent. The song is a duet with jazz legend Tony Bennett, titled "Body and Soul."

There is a timeless quality in Winehouse’s voice that captured the hearts not only of listeners but of someone as legendary as Bennett. Taken from the jazz singer’s Duets II album (in which he collaborated with artists like Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Andrea Bocelli, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, and more), his duet with Winehouse marked such a significant moment in music history. The recording stands out not only as a collaboration between two generations of artists but also as Winehouse’s final recording before her untimely death on July 23, 2011, at the age of just 27. Released posthumously on what would have been her 28th birthday, on September 14, 2011, the song was later included in Winehouse’s posthumous compilation album, titled Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which was released in December of the same year.

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse's "Body and Soul" Became More Than Just a Collaboration

“Body and Soul” is a great song in itself. Written by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton, and Johnny Green, the jazz single is about intense longing and devotion toward a lover, so much so that the narrator is willing to surrender everything, body and soul, despite the feeling of neglect and heartache. Additionally, such emotion in a song was brought vividly to life by Bennett and Winehouse. But it was the story of how the song was recorded, and the legacy it carried even after its release, that gave it a truly significant meaning. Apart from being the last song recorded by Winehouse, it also made Bennett — who was 85 at the time — the oldest artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011; he passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96.

What made the song even more emotional was how beautifully interpreted it was by both of them, giving fans — and even casual listeners — a bittersweet opportunity to celebrate Winehouse’s iconic vocals one last time. Even though it wasn’t her original, it didn’t erase the fact that the song marked a poignant milestone in her career. But as beautiful as the song was, and as powerfully and soulfully as Winehouse performed, it made her death all the more tragic, knowing such talent and voice could have spanned more decades had she lived longer.

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"Body and Soul" Represents a Moment of Artistic Partnership Between Two Remarkable Artists

The story behind ‘Body and Soul’ is both beautiful and sad, but mostly meaningful, as it represented a moment of artistic connection that brought together two talents, like Winehouse and Bennett. Winehouse herself admired Bennett and considered him one of her heroes. But with talent as extraordinary as Winehouse’s, it was impossible not to be impressed — even for an artist like Bennett. He said: “Amy was engaging, funny, charming, and utterly professional, but a little bit shy. She said she was nervous because she had never recorded a song with someone she considered to be one of her idols.”

It may have been a career cut tragically short, but Winehouse’s legacy lives on. With only two studio albums to her name (as well as one posthumous release) and unforgettable hits like "Back to Black" and "Love Is a Losing Game," she left behind a memory that will be forever etched in music history. While it’s heartbreaking to imagine what could have been, Winehouse remains a once-in-a-lifetime talent whose voice and artistry continue to inspire generations of listeners and musicians alike.