In San Francisco
Tony Bennett;Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra Lyrics
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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
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 lyrics of "In San Francisco" by Tony Bennett, reflect an individual who has travelled the world, visiting cities such as Paris, Rome, and Manhattan, yet finds solace in his home city of San Francisco. The opening lines of the song states that the loveliness of Paris seems gray, and the glory of Rome lies in another era. This indicates a sense of disillusionment with the world and its offerings. The artist then implies that he has been forgotten and feels alone in the vast cityscape of Manhattan.
However, his yearning to go back to San Francisco grows stronger, as he feels a connection with the city that he cannot find anywhere else. The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of the emotional attachment that the singer has to his city, as he states that he left his heart in San Francisco. The hill in San Francisco where cable cars climb halfway to the stars is the picture of the city he wishes to come back to. The artist is willing to endure the morning chill of San Francisco's famous morning fog to be close to his love, highlighting the attachment he has for the city.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea of home, and the special place it holds in one's heart. It is a love letter to San Francisco, with its iconic cable cars and golden sun, and an expression of the singer's sense of belonging).
Line by Line Meaning
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray
Paris, although it's a beautiful city, seems depressing to me.
The glory that was Rome is of another day
Rome, which once held great power and splendor, has faded into history.
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I feel isolated and neglected in Manhattan, a city filled with people.
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I'm returning to San Francisco, the city that means most to me.
I left my heart in San Francisco
San Francisco holds a special place in my heart.
High on a hill, it calls to me
The city feels like it's calling out to me from its elevated location.
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
I want to be in a place where I can see the cable cars moving up the hill, almost like they're reaching the stars.
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
Even though the fog can make the weather cold and uncomfortable in the morning, I'm willing to put up with it to be in San Francisco.
My love waits there in San Francisco
Someone I love is waiting for me in San Francisco.
Above the blue and windy sea
The city is overlooking a beautiful blue sea with lots of wind blowing in off the water.
When I come home to you, San Francisco
When I return to San Francisco, I feel like I'm coming home.
Your golden sun will shine for me
The sun in San Francisco seems brighter and more golden than it does anywhere else, and it makes me happy to be there.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEORGE CORY, DOUGLAS CROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind