I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Lawrence Welk Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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.
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,

Overall Meaning

your golden sun will shine for me!


"I Left My Heart in San Francisco" is a classic song that has become a symbol of the beautiful city by the bay. Tony Bennett's 1962 version of the song became an instant hit and was adopted as San Francisco's official song in 1969. The lyrics speak to the way the city can capture one's heart and set it free when they leave.


The song's opening line, "I left my heart in San Francisco," encapsulates the central theme of the lyrics. The singer of the song has fallen in love with San Francisco and left a piece of themselves there. The city's beauty, as symbolized by the hills, the stars, and the expansive sea, calls to the singer to return.


The second stanza supports the first, with references to the iconic cable cars, which carry passengers halfway up the hills, giving them a view of the city's stars. The fog chill is a reminder that San Francisco's weather can be unpredictable but is also seen as part of the city's charm. Despite the chilling fog, the singer has no cares because their love waits for them in San Francisco, making the city even more attractive and desirable.


Overall, the song is a love letter to San Francisco, a city that has had a profound effect on many people's lives. The beauty, the architecture, the history, the food, the art, and the culture all contribute to the magic that makes San Francisco special and worthy of being loved.


Line by Line Meaning

I left my heart in San Francisco.
My heart is in San Francisco; that is where I long to be.


High on a hill it calls to me
San Francisco's hilly landscape evokes a strong feeling in me.


to be where little cable cars
I desire to be in a place where quaint cable cars are a part of everyday life.


climb halfway to the stars!
These cable cars appear to reach for the stars, giving me a sense of wonder and excitement.


The morning fog may chill the air,
Although the fog may create a cold atmosphere, it does not deter my love for San Francisco.


I don't care!
Regardless of the weather, I remain dedicated to San Francisco.


My love waits there in San Francisco,
Someone I love is in San Francisco, making it feel like my true home.


above the blue and windy sea.
San Francisco's location on the Pacific Ocean adds to its appeal for me.


When I come home to you, San Francisco,
When I return to San Francisco, it feels like I am coming home to a place I truly love.


your golden sun will shine for me!
San Francisco's sunny weather and warm climate make me feel welcome and happy.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Douglas Cross, George Cory

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

David McKinney

The saxophone and Jimmy Roberts is truly impeccable

David McKinney

Almost twenty one years since Jimmy Roberts left us. May God bless his soul and his family. He was my favorite singer. My grandma loved to hear him sing this song. God bless my mommow she has been gone for ninteen years almost.

David McKinney

Nobody can sign the song like Jimmy

Gleason Parker

In this coat he says it all. Best EVER.

Gleason Parker

Mercy. As good as it gets.

Gleason Parker

Wow

Andrea Patane

This rules, because I remember singing the Tony Bennett version of this song on Zoom in Spring 2020. I rocked! 🤣 Jimmy Roberts seems pretty 🆒. Look at his 👃🏻, I bet he can pick it with his big toe.

More Versions