Anthony Dominick Benedetto, known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Anthony Dominick Benedetto, known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes and jazz. He is also a painter, having created works under his birth name that are on permanent public display in several institutions. He is the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.

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.

Crazy Rhythm
Tony Bennett Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Crazy rhythm, here's the doorway
I'll go my way, you'll go your way
Crazy rhythm, from now on, we're through

Here is where we have a showdown
I'm too high hat, you're too low down
Crazy rhythm, here's goodbye to you

They say that when a highbrow meets a lowbrow
Walking along Broadway
Soon the highbrow, he has no brow
Ain't it a shame? And you're to blame

What's the use of prohibition?
You produce the same condition
Crazy rhythm, I've gone crazy too

They say that when a highbrow meets a lowbrow
Walking along Broadway
Soon the highbrow, he has no brow
Ain't it a shame? And you're to blame

What's the use of prohibition?
You produce the same condition
Crazy rhythm, I've gone crazy too

Crazy rhythm, I've gone crazy too
Crazy rhythm, I've gone crazy too

Overall Meaning

Tony Bennett's song "Crazy Rhythm" is a classic tune from the 1920s, with lyrics that describe a breakup in a relationship. The song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm belie its sad message. The lyrics are about two people going their separate ways, signified by a doorway that separates them. The singer declares that from now on they are through, and they will part ways. The breakup is described as a showdown, in which the singer is too high hat (that is, too aloof or proud) and the other person is too low down (meaning low-class or unrefined).

The lyrics go on to state that society often separates people into different classes, with the so-called highbrow and lowbrow people unable to connect. The singer notes that when two such people meet on Broadway, the highbrow often loses their sense of superiority and becomes more down-to-earth. The singer blames the other person for their breakup, suggesting that they are somehow responsible for the rift that has opened between them. The final lines of the song repeat the idea that the singer has gone crazy, like the "crazy rhythm" of the title.

Line by Line Meaning

Crazy rhythm, here's the doorway
This is the beginning of the end

I'll go my way, you'll go your way
Separated paths are inevitable

Crazy rhythm, from now on, we're through
This is goodbye

Here is where we have a showdown
This is where our conflict will be resolved

I'm too high hat, you're too low down
I'm too pretentious, you're too casual

Crazy rhythm, here's goodbye to you
This is the end of our relationship

They say that when a highbrow meets a lowbrow
People from different backgrounds don't mix well

Walking along Broadway

Soon the highbrow, he has no brow
The highbrow loses his superior attitude

Ain't it a shame? And you're to blame
It's a pity and it's your fault

What's the use of prohibition?
What's the point of trying to stop something?