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.
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
I thought I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Darling, I guess that my mind's more at ease
Or nevertheless, why stir up memories?
I've been invited on dates
Might have gone, but what for?
It's awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless, why stir up memories?
Been invited on dates
I might have gone, but what for?
It's awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
Oh baby, don't get around much anymore
In Tony Bennett's song "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," the narrative explores the feelings of a protagonist who is reminiscing about old times with a loved one. The first verse sets the stage for the story, with the singer reluctantly missing a Saturday dance because they could not bear it without their love interest. In the second verse, the singer decides to visit the club but only makes it to the door, realizing that the other club-goers would have asked about the missing love interest. The singer then reflects on being invited on dates but declines since it is "awfully different" without their love interest.
The lyrics of the song express the pain of being apart from someone special and the struggle to move on. The singer seems to be at peace with the situation but is nonetheless haunted by the memories of the good times he had with the person, ultimately leading to them not getting out much anymore. The song's melody is smooth and jazzy, portraying a sense of nostalgia and sadness over a lost relationship. Bennett's vocals are mellow and subdued, adding to the melancholic nature of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Missed the Saturday dance
I didn't attend the dance on Saturday
Heard they crowded the floor
I heard the dance had a lot of people
Couldn't bear it without you
I couldn't handle going without you
Don't get around much anymore
I don't go out often anymore
I thought I'd visit the club
I considered going to the club
Got as far as the door
I only made it to the entrance
They'd have asked me about you
I knew people would ask me about you
Darling, I guess that my mind's more at ease
I feel more relaxed now
Or nevertheless, why stir up memories?
But why bring up the past?
I've been invited on dates
I've been asked out
Might have gone, but what for?
I considered going, but didn't see the point
It's awfully different without you
Things aren't the same without you
Oh baby, don't get around much anymore
I don't go out anymore, baby
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Bob Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MarkBlackburnWPG
Canada's gift to jazz crooning Michael B's favorite version of the song was Tony's original with a jazz band. Michael requested that it be their Duets recording. Most viewed version at YouTube -- this one (1.25 million) -- “Tony Bennett performing "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" with Michale Bublé from Duets II: The Great Performances”
Some informed comments below the video – like this one:
FosterNewmanMusic
7 years ago
It's great that Tony Bennett can still hit that high Bb4. Lovely stuff!
Thanks for sharing, Tony Bennett. Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] "Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
@dawoodsalman3629
Missed the Saturday dance
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
I thought I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Don't get around much anymore
Well darling, I guess that my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless, why stir up memories?
I've been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for
It's awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
Darling, I guess, my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless, why stir up memories?
They've been invited on dates
I might have gone but what for
It's awfully different without you
Don't get around much anymore
Oh baby, don't get around much anymore
@leticiacorderobuble
Rest in peace dear Mr Bennett ❤️
@schloppyjalopy4327
RIP Tony Bennett, a legend of music and entertainment!
@user-jf7pi3kt7g
Buble is smiling SO HARD! 😊❤
@630HJ
Bravo! I can't believe anyone at the age of 85 or can sing with such a powerful voice or even be half energetic as great Tony is
@TheVarietyChannel2008
Bro, I can’t believe he’s only 85
@eribelle753
And 10 years later he was still producing award winning albums at 95. That's so wild to me xD. Such amazing talent!
@MarkBlackburnWPG
Canada's gift to jazz crooning Michael B's favorite version of the song was Tony's original with a jazz band. Michael requested that it be their Duets recording. Most viewed version at YouTube -- this one (1.25 million) -- “Tony Bennett performing "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" with Michale Bublé from Duets II: The Great Performances”
Some informed comments below the video – like this one:
FosterNewmanMusic
7 years ago
It's great that Tony Bennett can still hit that high Bb4. Lovely stuff!
Thanks for sharing, Tony Bennett. Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] "Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
@luannezysling9077
Michael Buble is one of a kind in this day and age. He is saving all the old classics. And to team him up with Tony Bennett, a classic himself. WOW
@clavos22
Michael Buble is one of my favorite vocalist of this era. Hearing him with Bennet is just...wow
@FosterNewmanMusic
It's great that Tony Bennett can still hit that high Bb4. Lovely stuff!