I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Bennett Tony Lyrics
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The glory that was Rome is of another day
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me
The lyrics to Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” express the singer’s longing for the city he loves. The song begins with Bennett describing how other cities pale in comparison to San Francisco, which has captured his heart. He contrasts the “loveliness” of Paris and the “glory” of Rome with the vibrant beauty of San Francisco. He then admits that he has been feeling “terribly alone and forgotten” in New York City, and he longs to return home to his beloved city by the Bay.
Bennett uses vivid imagery to describe the allure of San Francisco, with its iconic cable cars that climb “halfway to the stars.” Although the morning fog may be chilly, he doesn’t care, because his heart belongs in San Francisco. The chorus of the song repeats the central refrain, “I left my heart in San Francisco,” as Bennett expresses his love for the city and the person waiting for him there.
Line by Line Meaning
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray
Although Paris is a beautiful city, it seems dull and melancholic to me.
The glory that was Rome is of another day
Rome, once a city with great glory, now belongs to the past.
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I have felt extremely lonely and neglected while staying in Manhattan.
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I am returning to the city of San Francisco, which means home to me.
I left my heart in San Francisco
My emotional attachment and longing remains in San Francisco.
High on a hill, it calls to me
There is a special place in San Francisco where I feel a pull towards it.
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
I want to be in San Francisco, where small cable cars travel uphill giving me the feeling of ascending towards the stars.
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
Even though the San Francisco morning may be cold due to the fog, it doesn't bother me.
My love waits there in San Francisco
Someone I love is in San Francisco waiting for me.
Above the blue and windy sea
My loved one is overlooking the ocean that appears blue and windy.
When I come home to you, San Francisco
When I return to San Francisco, my home and heart are filled with joy.
Your golden sun will shine for me
I will bask in the warmth and brightness of the shining sun which is a symbol of hope in San Francisco.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Douglas Cross, George Cory
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iamtimfoley
R.I.P. ❤ As a former SF resident, thank you for this wonderful song and all your work.
@Smenkhaare
Visited San Francisco twice in 1999 and 2000. Lovely city and if I lived in California (I live in NYC), it would be San Francisco. A very walkable city as well. Unusual for California.
@brothertspoon5899
@@SmenkhaareSF is the nyc of west coast in terms of urban density
@kevinyoung1858
RIP Tony. Thank you for a lifetime of music. You personify the word crooner and remain an icon of icons. Your passing weighs heavily on my heart.😔
@ninerscountry7885
Same here ..
@gladtobeopenminded
Classy performer and very nice person...
@cesarmogollon5669
Falleció a los 96 años ? Comentó una periodista, que fué un cantante sucesor de Frank Sinatra?
@HansGruber88
Such a simple and lovely song sung so beautifully. When Tony belts out the windy sea line, it gives you chills and brings tears at the same time. RIP to a legend.
@sallyjoan
That lovely gravelly voice.
@davidstears7037
RIP Tony, your music has bought me so much love over the years. ❤