Bennett began singing at an early age. He fought in the final stages of World War II as a U.S. Army infantryman in the European Theater. Afterward, he developed his singing technique, signed with Columbia Records and had his first number-one popular song with "Because of You" in 1951. Several tracks such as "Rags to Riches" followed in early 1953. He then refined his approach to encompass jazz singing. He reached an artistic peak in the late 1950s with albums such as The Beat of My Heart and Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. In 1962, Bennett recorded his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". His career and personal life experienced an extended downturn during the height of the rock music era. Bennett staged a comeback in the late 1980s and 1990s, putting out gold record albums again and expanding his reach to the MTV generation while keeping his musical style intact.
Bennett continued to create popular and critically praised work into the 21st century. He attracted acclaim for his collaborations with Lady Gaga, which began with the album Cheek to Cheek (2014); the two performers toured together to promote the album throughout 2014 and 2015. With the release of the duo's second album, Love for Sale (2021), Bennett broke the individual record for the longest span of top-10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart for any living artist; his first top-10 record was I Left My Heart in San Francisco in 1962. Bennett also broke the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to release an album of new material, at the age of 95 years and 60 days.
Bennett has amassed numerous accolades throughout his career, including 19 Grammy Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He was named an NEA Jazz Master and a Kennedy Center Honoree. Bennett has sold over 50 million records worldwide.
In February 2021, it was revealed that Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. Due to the slow progression of his illness, he continued to record, tour, and perform until his retirement from concert performances in August 2021 due to physical challenges.
Bennett died in New York City on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the age of 96. His death was announced by his publicist.
A Sleepin' Bee
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If he really is the one
There′s an ancient sign sure to tell you
If your search is over and done
Just catch a bee and if he don't sting you
You're in a spell that′s just begun
It′s a guarantee 'til the end of time
Your true love you have won, have won
When a bee lies sleepin′ in the palm of your hand,
You're bewitched, and deep in love′s long looked-after land.
Where you'll see a sun-up sky with a mornin′ moon,
And where the days go laughin' by, as love comes a callin' on you.
Sleep on bee, don′t waken, I can′t believe what just passed.
She's mine for the takin′ I'm so happy at last.
Maybe I dreams, but she seems sweet golden as a crown
A sleepin′ bee done told me, that I'll walk with my feet off the ground
When my one true love, I has found.
The lyrics to Tony Bennett's song "A Sleepin' Bee" depict the experience of being in love and wondering if the person you're with is truly the one for you. The song suggests an ancient sign to determine if your search for love is complete. It proposes that if you catch a bee and it doesn't sting you, it's a sign that you are under a spell of love that's just begun. This spell is believed to guarantee that your true love will be with you until the end of time.
The second verse delves into the imagery of being deeply in love. It describes the sensation of holding a sleeping bee in the palm of your hand, evoking a feeling of being enchanted and immersed in a land of love that you've long awaited. The lyrics further paint a picture of a sky that combines the colors and beauty of a sunrise and a moonlit night. In this love-infused land, the days pass joyfully, with love making its presence known.
The final section of the song expresses the happiness and disbelief of finding someone special. The singer sings about the extraordinary qualities of the person they've discovered, using metaphors such as a sweet golden crown. The mention of a sleeping bee brings the notion of the ancient sign full circle, as if the bee confirmed that love has lifted them off the ground. The singer and their true love are destined to walk together in a state of pure bliss.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're in love and you are wonderin'
When you are deeply in love and feeling uncertain
If he really is the one
If he is truly the person meant for you
There's an ancient sign sure to tell you
There's a timeless symbol that can reveal
If your search is over and done
If your quest for love has reached its conclusion
Just catch a bee and if he don't sting you
Simply hold a bee, and if it doesn't harm you
You're in a spell that's just begun
You are under a magical enchantment that has just started
It's a guarantee 'til the end of time
It's a promise that lasts for eternity
Your true love you have won, have won
Your one true love you have successfully obtained
When a bee lies sleepin' in the palm of your hand
When a bee rests peacefully on your open palm
You're bewitched, and deep in love's long looked-after land
You're enchanted and deeply immersed in the sought-after land of love
Where you'll see a sun-up sky with a mornin' moon
Where you'll witness the unique sight of a sunrise with a morning moon
And where the days go laughin' by, as love comes a callin' on you
And where the joyful days pass swiftly, while love comes to visit you
Sleep on bee, don't waken, I can't believe what just passed
Stay asleep, little bee, don't wake up, I can't believe what has just occurred
She's mine for the takin' I'm so happy at last
She belongs to me, I can finally claim her, and I feel immense joy
Maybe I dreams, but she seems sweet golden as a crown
Perhaps I'm dreaming, but she appears as precious and valuable as a golden crown
A sleepin' bee done told me, that I'll walk with my feet off the ground
A slumbering bee has revealed to me that I will experience pure happiness and exhilaration
When my one true love, I has found
When I discover my one true love
Writer(s): Harold Arlen, Truman Capote
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.