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.
Have You Met Miss Jones?
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone said as we shook hands
She was just Miss Jones to me
Then I said, Miss Jones
"You're a girl who understands
I'm a man who must be free"
And all at once was scared to death
And all at once I own the Earth and sky
Now I met Miss Jones
And we'll keep on meeting till we die
Miss Jones and I
And all at once I lost my breath
And all at once was scared to death
And all at once I own the Earth and sky
Now I met Miss Jones
And we'll keep on meeting till we die
Miss Jones and I
Miss Jones and I
The lyrics to Tony Bennett's "Have You Met Miss Jones?" speaks on the experience of love at first sight. In the song, the singer has a chance meeting with a woman named Miss Jones, and even though he doesn't know her well, he feels an instant connection with her. He describes her as someone who understands him and his need for freedom, while also feeling all-consuming fear at the thought of losing her. He's suddenly feels like he owns the world yet can't comprehend what he's feeling.
The repeated lyrics in the song are a poetic illustration of how relationships develop and grow. Despite meeting only once, the singer is convinced that he and Miss Jones will continue to cross paths until the day they die. The song touches on the notion of destiny and how we can feel an unexplainable connection with another person. The singer feels consumed by the power of fate, and the line "I own the earth and sky" suggests that he feels as if the world is at his feet and nothing can stand in his way. Overall, "Have You Met Miss Jones?" is a tribute to the power of attraction and the magic of love at first sight.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you met Miss Jones
Did you have the pleasure of making acquaintance with Miss Jones?
Someone said as we shook hands
An individual prompted me to ask about Miss Jones during our greeting.
She was just Miss Jones to me
Initially, Miss Jones held no significant importance to me.
Then I said, Miss Jones / "You're a girl who understands / I'm a man who must be free"
Upon interacting with Miss Jones, I acknowledged her comprehension and communicated that I possess a need for independence.
And all at once I lost my breath / And all at once was scared to death / And all at once I own the Earth and sky
Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with emotions and a sense of power and control.
Now I met Miss Jones / And we'll keep on meeting till we die / Miss Jones and I
Currently, Miss Jones and I are acquaintances planning on continuing our encounters until our passing.
Miss Jones and I
Miss Jones and myself.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind