I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Mantovani 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!


The lyrics of Mantovani's song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" tell a story of a lover who has left their heart in the city of San Francisco. It starts with the character on a hill, hearing the call to be where the cable cars climb halfway to the stars. This line speaks metaphorically to the heights of love, where the character wishes to be with someone who holds their heart. The reference to cable cars is a reminder of the city's famous landmark, also representing the couple's journey as they climb higher in their relationship.


The following verse describes the city's notorious morning fog, but to the character, it does not matter because their love waits for them in San Francisco, above the blue and windy sea. This line illustrates the beauty of the city as well as the character's emotional connection to it, emphasizing that the city holds everything that they desire. The final verse highlights the character's longing to return to San Francisco and reunite with their love. The line "your golden sun will shine for me" expresses the character's hope to experience joy and happiness when they are back with their loved one.


Overall, Mantovani's song speaks about the power of love and how it can leave an indelible mark on a person's heart, which cannot be easily forgotten. The lyrics appeal to anyone who has left their loved ones behind, hoping to be reunited and reignite that feeling once again. It also highlights the beauty of the city of San Francisco, a place that holds a lot of sentimentality for the author.


Line by Line Meaning

I left my heart in San Francisco.
I was so deeply moved by the beauty of San Francisco that it felt as though a piece of my heart stayed behind.


High on a hill it calls to me
The incredible view from a hill in San Francisco captivates me and I feel drawn to return there.


to be where little cable cars
The charming cable cars of San Francisco have become iconic and I long to be near them once more.


climb halfway to the stars!
The cable cars ascend up the steep hills of San Francisco, giving the impression of reaching for the sky.


The morning fog may chill the air,
The cool, damp fog that often envelopes San Francisco may create a chill in the air, but it does not deter me from loving the city.


I don't care!
I am willing to overlook any of San Francisco's weather quirks because my love for the city runs deep.


My love waits there in San Francisco,
The person I love is in San Francisco, which only makes me yearn for the city more deeply.


above the blue and windy sea.
San Francisco is situated on the coastline and the vast expanse of the ocean, combined with the gusty winds, creates an unmatched environment.


When I come home to you, San Francisco,
I consider San Francisco to be a home to me, and I long to return there again.


your golden sun will shine for me!
San Francisco's sunny, cheerful disposition makes me feel welcomed, as though the sun itself is shining just for me.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, 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

More Versions