I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin/Sam 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!
The song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written by George Cory and Douglass Cross in 1954, but it is Frank Sinatra's 1962 version that became widely popular. Through this song, the first thing that comes to one’s mind when one thinks of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. However, this song is not just about a tourist attraction. It is a love song, about a man who left his heart in San Francisco because his love is there.
The opening lines of the song speaks to the emotional attachment the singer has to the city of San Francisco – it’s not just a city, it’s a place where his heart resides. The next few lines paint a picture of San Francisco and things that make it unique – the hills that make it a challenge to drive around, the cable cars that are an iconic symbol of the city, and the sweeping views from the hilltops. The line “climb halfway to the stars” is a metaphor for San Francisco’s high elevation and breathtaking views. The singer is willing to brave the physical challenges of San Francisco because he knows his love is waiting for him there.
The last two stanzas of the song talk about returning to the city and to his love. The singer is not put off by the cold, foggy San Francisco weather, as his love is a warm light shining through the mist. He promises to return to San Francisco and to his love, and this time, San Francisco’s “golden sun will shine for me" not just because it’s a beautiful day, but because his love is with him.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my heart in San Francisco.
My deep affection for San Francisco will always remain with me.
High on a hill it calls to me
The beauty and allure of San Francisco is irresistible, particularly from the hills.
to be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars!
I want to be in a place where even the simple sight of cable cars ascending towards the sky fills me with wonder and exhilaration.
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care!
Even though the fog may create a cold and eerie atmosphere, it does not diminish my love for San Francisco.
My love waits there in San Francisco, above the blue and windy sea.
The one I love resides in San Francisco, overlooking the beautiful ocean and skies.
When I come home to you, San Francisco, your golden sun will shine for me!
Upon returning to San Francisco, I will be greeted with warmth, comfort and the radiance of a bright sun.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Douglas Cross, George Cory
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind