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.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The boulevard of broken dreams
Where gigolo and gigolette
Can take a kiss without regret
So they forget their broken dreams
You laugh tonight and cry tomorrow
When you behold your shattered schemes
Wake up to find their eyes are wet
With tears that tell of broken dreams
Here is where you'll always find me
Always walking up and down
But I left my soul behind me
In an old cathedral town
The joy that you find here you borrow
You cannot keep it long it seems
But gigolo and gigolette
Still sing a song and dance along
The boulevard of broken dreams
Here is where you'll always find me
Always walking up and down
But I left my soul behind me
In an old cathedral town
The joy that you find here you borrow
You cannot keep it long it seems
But gigolo and gigolette
Still sing a song and dance along
The boulevard of broken dreams
"The Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is a powerful, melancholic song made famous by Tony Bennett. The song reflects on broken dreams and the struggle to cope with the reality that those dreams will never come true. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a somber boulevard where lost souls go to forget their sorrows—where the joy that one finds is only borrowed, and the reality of shattered plans and schemes ultimately prevails.
The song speaks to anyone who has experienced a loss or a great failure, and how they navigate their lives in the aftermath. The singer calls attention to the gigolos and gigolettes who can take a kiss without regret, highlighting the temporary and fleeting nature of their encounters. Further, the singer reflects on the cyclical nature of the boulevard, where they will always be found walking up and down, but their soul has been left behind in an old cathedral town.
Overall, the song beautifully illuminates the poignancy of broken dreams and the difficulty of moving on when life has taken a drastic turn for the worse.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk along the street of sorrow
I am walking on a road full of sadness
The boulevard of broken dreams
This road is known as the place where people's hopes and dreams are shattered.
Where gigolo and gigolette
This is where prostitutes can be found.
Can take a kiss without regret
Prostitutes don't care about kissing their clients because it is a meaningless gesture to them.
So they forget their broken dreams
Prostitutes lose themselves in their work so they can forget their own failed dreams.
You laugh tonight and cry tomorrow
People who come here might be happy in the moment, but they will be sad later on.
When you behold your shattered schemes
When people see their dreams being crushed, they feel disappointed.
Gigolo and gigolette
Prostitutes who come here are referred to as gigolos and gigolettes.
Wake up to find their eyes are wet
Prostitutes are no exception when it comes to emotions and feelings.
With tears that tell of broken dreams
Their tears are the only proof of their shattered hopes and dreams.
Here is where you'll always find me
This is where I will always be because it's where I belong.
Always walking up and down
I move around a lot because I don't have a specific place to settle down.
But I left my soul behind me
I feel like I've lost a part of myself while being here.
In an old cathedral town
Maybe I can reconnect with my lost spirit if I go to a holy location.
The joy that you find here you borrow
You can only find temporary happiness here that won't last long.
You cannot keep it long it seems
The happiness you find here disappears quickly.
Still sing a song and dance along
Despite their broken dreams, prostitutes keep going and keep their spirits up by dancing and singing.
The boulevard of broken dreams
This place is infamous for broken dreams and shattered hopes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Dubin, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ironiironi6347
I walk along the street of sorrow
The boulevard of broken dreams
Where gigolo and gigolette
Can take a kiss without regret
So they forget their broken dreams
You laugh tonight and cry tomorrow
When you behold your shattered schemes
Gigolo and gigolette
Wake up to find their eyes are wet
With tears that tell of broken dreams
Here is where you'll always find me
Always walking up and down
But I left my soul behind me
In an old cathedral town
The joy that you find here you borrow
You cannot keep it long it seems
But gigolo and gigolette
Still sing a song and dance along
The boulevard of broken dreams
Here is where you'll always find me
Always walking up and down
But I left my soul behind me
In an old cathedral town
The joy that you find here you borrow
You cannot keep it long it seems
But gigolo and gigolette
Still sing a song and dance along
The boulevard of broken dreams
@ironiironi6347
I walk along the street of sorrow
The boulevard of broken dreams
Where gigolo and gigolette
Can take a kiss without regret
So they forget their broken dreams
You laugh tonight and cry tomorrow
When you behold your shattered schemes
Gigolo and gigolette
Wake up to find their eyes are wet
With tears that tell of broken dreams
Here is where you'll always find me
Always walking up and down
But I left my soul behind me
In an old cathedral town
The joy that you find here you borrow
You cannot keep it long it seems
But gigolo and gigolette
Still sing a song and dance along
The boulevard of broken dreams
Here is where you'll always find me
Always walking up and down
But I left my soul behind me
In an old cathedral town
The joy that you find here you borrow
You cannot keep it long it seems
But gigolo and gigolette
Still sing a song and dance along
The boulevard of broken dreams
@TheLadybudd
Thank you!!!
@markalson1938
Yes he is the last of the singers from the golden age of music that is still alive and performing. Bing, Franki, Vaughn, Dean, Frankie, Johnnie, Guy, Jo, Terrisa,,Don and most of the others are gone but not forgotten and there will never be any like them again. So Tony just keep going.
@ironiironi6347
Mark Gallagher
Thank you for this beautiful song. I hope you're keeping well✌✌✌
@mirceacatana4161
R.I.P legend, you will be missed!!!!🕊
@AlchemistAlways
i was looking for covers of the green day song, saw this, and assumed it was gonna be a shitpost.
im pleasantly surprised that it's just a really good 50's song by the same name, tbh.
@drifterskip1246
RIP Tony. You were one of the best.
@DiskoNixon.
This was one of my Great-Grandpa's favorite songs and today I listen to this on what would've been his 120th Birthday. I love you and miss you Great-Grandpa
@anthonymasella5796
This is his best style of music when he’s just swinging like this, extremely talented Jazz artist but songs like this are unbelievably good of his.
@1billwill
ONE OF GREATEST ITALIAN AMERECAN TONY BENNETT WHAT CLASS AND STYLE ONE OF THE LAST OF THE CROONERS.