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.
All I Want for Christmas Is You
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby
Tony Bennett's song "All I Want for Christmas is You," is a classic Christmas tune that talks about the simple desires for the holiday season. The song expresses that the singer does not want an abundance of gifts or material possessions. Instead, all he wants for Christmas is the presence of his loved one. The lyrics convey the message that the material items that come with Christmas do not matter, but the joy of spending time with loved ones does. The song reminisces the Christmas spirit by highlighting the nostalgia and tradition of the holiday season, including the mistletoe, the laughter of children, and the spirit of Santa Claus.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of love and connection on Christmas Day. The imagery of the lyrics highlights the holiday cheer, which includes the bright lights, ringing sleigh bells, and children's laughter that fill the air. The song reminds us that Christmas is a time for celebration and being with our loved ones. The song's simple messages are heartwarming and remind us that at the core of the holiday season is love, connection, and the joy of being with those we hold dear.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want a lot for Christmas
I only have one Christmas wish
There's just one thing I need
There's only one thing that can make me happy
I don't care about the presents
Gifts are not important to me
Underneath the Christmas tree
Even the decorations don't matter
I don't need to hang my stocking
I don't need anything that is traditionally associated with Christmas
There upon the fireplace
Not even stockings
Santa Claus won't make me happy
Even Santa can't bring me what I truly want
With a toy on Christmas day
Toys and material things cannot fulfill my wish
I just want you for my own
The only thing I want is to be with you
More than you could ever know
You mean more to me than anything
Make my wish come true
I hope my wish of being with you will come true
All I want for Christmas
My desire for Christmas is simple
Is you
All I want is you to be with me on Christmas day
I won't ask for much this Christmas
My request is not grand this holiday season
I won't even wish for snow
I don't need any material representation of Christmas
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
I'll wait patiently for what I truly want
Underneath the mistletoe
The only thing I need is a kiss from you
I won't make a list and send it
I don't need to write a list of things to get my wish
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I don't need Santa's help
I won't even stay awake to
I won't even stay up all night
Hear those magic reindeer click
To catch a glimpse of Santa's sleigh
Cause I just want you here tonight
All I need is you by my side tonight
Holding on to me so tight
Just holding me close
What more can I do
I don't know what else to do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
All I want for Christmas is you, my love
You
You are the only one I need
All the lights are shining
The world is bright and lively
So brightly everywhere
Lights are everywhere
And the sound of children's
Children's laughter fills the air
Laughter fills the air
The atmosphere is filled with joyous sounds
And everyone is singing
Singing in harmony
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
The sound of the bells makes me happy
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
I don't need Santa's help to get what I want
Won't you please bring my baby to me
All I want from Santa is to reunite me with my loved one
Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
My Christmas dream is small
This is all I'm asking for
All I want is this one thing
I just want to see my baby
All I want is to be with my loved one
Standing right outside my door
To be together in close proximity
All I want is him for my own
All I need is my loved one
More than you could ever know
My love runs deeper than one can imagine
Make my wish come true
All I need is my wish to come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
All I need is you by my side
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I need this Christmas is you, my love
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I need is you, my love
Lyrics © Publishing Test Account, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mariah Carey, Walter N. Afanasieff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mark-yn5zf
Hot damn, this is so lovely. Tony and Toots, can't go wrong
@inspiration708
This is absolutely one of my favorite Christmas songs I love it and Tony does it best ❤️💚🌲
@nikih.6372
I could only cry hearing this music and that genius Tony singing... It is worth to do good things.
@arroyo7881
One of the best Christmas songs next to Last xmas
@Italman45
1:52 beautiful, listen to that orchestra ! This is the best best version of this song !
@emiliae6460
I love you Tony Bennet now and in Christmas ❤️
@francescarroll5306
Beautiful song
@kathymckimm1819
Thank you my wonderful friends how much I would love to share a meaningful Christmas with you & and Facebook listening to Tony’s beautiful voice in the background 🎉🎊☃️☔️☃️🌲🇮🇱
@lindagarcia1406
Tony eres en ser maravilloso,te admiro y adoro todo lo que cantas
@vanessa.0.0
I love you so much, Tony 🥺♥️