I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Bruce Abbott & The North Star Jazz Ensemble Lyrics
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High on a hill it calls to me
to be where little cable cars
climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air,
I don't care!
My love waits there in San Francisco,
above the blue and windy sea.
your golden sun will shine for me!
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!
The morning fog may chill the air,
I don't care!
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!
"I Left My Heart in San Francisco," written in 1954 by George Cory and Douglass Cross, is a classic song that has become synonymous with the city it celebrates. The song has been performed by many famous musicians, including Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, and has become an anthem of sorts for San Francisco. At its core, the song is a love letter to the city, to everything that makes it special and unique.
The lyrics begin with the simplest of statements: "I left my heart in San Francisco." This line conveys a deep sense of longing, of yearning for something that is just out of reach. The rest of the lyrics illuminate what it is that makes San Francisco so magical. The "little cable cars" that "climb halfway to the stars" are a vivid representation of the city's geography, with its steep hills and iconic transportation system. The "morning fog" that "chills the air" is a nod to the city's notoriously chilly weather, but also to the romantic atmosphere that the fog creates.
The final line, "When I come home to you, San Francisco, your golden sun will shine for me," is a beautiful expression of devotion. It suggests that the singer loves San Francisco not only for what it is, but for what it represents: a place of warmth, light, and hope. The song's enduring popularity is a testament to the enduring appeal of this sentiment.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my heart in San Francisco.
My deep emotions and feelings are intimately tied to the city of San Francisco.
High on a hill it calls to me
I feel a strong pull and attraction towards the city of San Francisco, especially its high elevation views.
to be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars!
I desire to be at the place where the small cable cars ascend up the hill, giving a feeling of reaching for the sky.
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care!
Even though the cool misty climate of San Francisco can be a bit challenging to tolerate, it's worth it to be in such a beautiful city.
My love waits there in San Francisco, above the blue and windy sea.
My significant other is located in San Francisco, which has a stunning view of the ocean.
When I come home to you, San Francisco, your golden sun will shine for me!
I eagerly anticipate returning to San Francisco and experiencing the warmth of the sun in this wondrous city.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOUGLAS CROSS, GEORGE CORY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind