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.
Blue Velvet
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bluer than velvet was the night
Softer than satin was the light
From the stars
She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet were her eyes
Warmer than May, her tender sighs
Ours, a love I held tightly
Feeling the rapture grow
Like a flame burning brightly
But when she left gone was the glow of
Blue velvet
But in my heart there'll always be
Precious and warm a memory through the years
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears
Precious and warm a memory through the years
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears
The lyrics to Tony Bennett's "Blue Velvet" are about a woman who is wearing a blue velvet dress that is bluer than the night itself, and her eyes are just as blue. The light around her is softer than satin and comes from the stars. The singer describes how warm her tender sighs are, feeling a love they both shared. The love they had, he describes as having held onto tightly, feeling the rapture grow like a flame burning brightly. The memory of that love is precious and warm in his heart, and he can see the blue velvet through his tears.
The song "Blue Velvet" was originally written and composed by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris in 1950. It was then recorded by various artists, including a version by Bobby Vinton in 1963 that became a hit. Tony Bennett's version was released in 1951, one year after the song's initial release.
Line by Line Meaning
She wore blue velvet
The woman of interest donned blue velvet clothing
Bluer than velvet was the night
The night sky's deep blue hue was similar to the blue of her velvet attire
Softer than satin was the light
The light shining from the stars was gentle and smooth
From the stars
The light was emitted from the stars in the night sky
Bluer than velvet were her eyes
Her mesmerizing eyes were just as blue as her velvet clothes
Warmer than May, her tender sighs
Her sweet sighs were full of warmth and comfort, much like a pleasant May day
Love was ours
The two lovers shared a deep and passionate love
Ours, a love I held tightly
The artist was holding on tightly to the shared love
Feeling the rapture grow
The joy and excitement of love was constantly increasing
Like a flame burning brightly
The intensity of the love felt was similar to a burning flame
But when she left gone was the glow of
Unfortunately, when the woman left, the happiness and light of the relationship disappeared
Blue velvet
The blue velvet clothing serves as a reminder of the love they once shared
But in my heart there'll always be
Despite the end of the relationship, the singer will always cherish their memories
Precious and warm a memory through the years
The memories of their love are valuable and comfort the singer over time
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears
Even through tears, the singer can still clearly visualize the woman's blue velvet clothing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beejoo61
She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet was the night
Softer than satin was the light
From the stars
She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet were her eyes
Warmer than may her tender sighs
Love was ours
Ours a love I held tightly
Feeling the rapture grow
Like a flame burning brightly
But when she left, gone was the glow of
She wore blue velvet
But in my heart there'll always be
Precious and warm a memory, through the years
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears
@atimtambaby
k d lang's voice is blue velvet personified. Rest in peace Tony Bennett your song catalogue is unsurpassed excellence
@SovereignSlave1
Tony ended up with more duets than anyone in history
@cristovaopaganini6991
The meeting of these two voices resembles a cosmic confluence that occurs only once in eternity.
@chilibeen5484
KD Lang's voice is Pure Velvet...
X
@christinedavison7604
Wow, what a voice this lady has. Would you believe that I've never heard of KD Lang until now, Iam definitely now a fan. ❤❤❤
@grumpycanadiangrandma7990
What!!!!, lol please search for her version of Crying at the 1990 tribute to Roy Orbison, honest to God, it will knock your socks off
@brightstarsunshine5301
Search for her singing "Hallelujah" it's beautiful!
@marmeecruz6191
Better late than never!😚
@lesliecurran1704
@brightstar sunshine I like her version better than anyone else's, it's amazing and heartfelt.
@Darilynn714
Being a Canadian Vegan Lesbian, country stations in the US never played her. But she has worked with Roy Orbison, Loretta Lynn and more. She sang a song called “Shadowland” that was written for Patsy Cline, and produced with Patsy’s team. She is a treasure