I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Judy Garland & Tony Bennett Lyrics


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The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray
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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" by Judy Garland and Tony Bennett reflect the nostalgia and longing of someone who has traveled across the world and finally found a place they can call home. It expresses how the singer has been to beautiful cities like Paris and Rome but finds them lacking because they do not hold the special place that their heart resides within. They feel forgotten in bustling Manhattan and the only solution to bring them comfort is to go back to their city by the Bay.


The second stanza starts with the famous lines "I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill, it calls to me". These lines create a beautiful imagery of someone standing on a hilltop, looking down at the city that holds their heart. The reference to the cable cars that climb halfway to the stars, the wind and the morning fog add to the atmospheric feeling of the city. The singer reveals that their lover is waiting for them in San Francisco and they long to return to the place that holds all their memories and hope for a bright future.


Overall, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" is a beautiful love letter to the city. It captures the essence of the people, the landscape, and the memories that reside in it. The song reminds us of the places we love and the people we miss when we are away.


Line by Line Meaning

The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray
Paris has lost its charm and luster; it appears dull and uninviting.


The glory that was Rome is of another day
The magnificence of Rome no longer exists; it's a memory of the past.


I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I've been lonely and neglected in Manhattan.


I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I'm returning to my dear city, San Francisco.


I left my heart in San Francisco
San Francisco has captured my heart.


High on a hill, it calls to me
A call from the hilltops of San Francisco beckons me.


To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
I want to be where the cable cars ascend to the sky.


The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
The cool fog that envelops the city doesn't bother me.


My love waits there in San Francisco
My lover is waiting for me in San Francisco.


Above the blue and windy sea
The city overlooks the ocean, with its blue water and windy waves.


When I come home to you, San Francisco
When I return to San Francisco, my heart will be content.


Your golden sun will shine for me
The sun will radiate and shine brilliantly for me in San Francisco.




Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOUGLAS CROSS, GEORGE CORY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@matthewpeters8880

This man has sung professionally with both Judy Garland and Lady Gaga at age 95. A World War 2 veteran also. He is a legend and his death will be the end of an era.

@gwynshelmerdine8921

And Sir David Attenborough, life is,has n will carry on till we all gone carnt wait for that! ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ๐Ÿฆ‹X

@patricialavallee8286

Well said!

@suzannechiles4108

Tony Bennett died on July 21, 2023, but I don't have to believe it if I don't want to. He left us with a phenomenal record catalog, so I listen every day. He is indeed a legend.

@seansyphers244

RIP Tony! ๐Ÿ˜ข Hope you & Judy have reunited and are singing up a storm together in paradise! โค๏ธ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

@hannahlynn8028

well said, though I'm very sad.

@whoamellie5610

Love that thought ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ˜˜โค I love Tony and Judy both so much ๐Ÿ’•โœจโœจ๐Ÿ’™

@katc5051

Yes. It's sad when you think about how unfair it is when someone dies as young as Judy.

@briangriffin2213

Well said ,Sir !

@carmenvallone3458

Judy was the best and so was Tony legends we'll never forget they left us a great legacy! RIP, Judy and Tony.

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