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.
How Insensitive
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she told me that she loved me
How unmoved and cold, I must have seemed
When she told me so sincerely
Why she must have asked?
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence?
What was I to say? What can you say
How insensitive, he must have seemed
When she told me that she loved him
How unmoved and cold, he must have seemed
When she told him so sincerely
Why she must have asked?
Did he just turn and stare in icy silence?
What was she to say? What can he say
When a love affair is over?
Now she's gone away
And I'm alone with a memory of her last look
Vague and drawn and sad, I see it still
All her heartbreak in that last look
How she must have asked
Could I just turn and stare in icy silence?
What was I to do? What can one do
When a love affair is over?
The song "How Insensitive" by Tony Bennett is a poignant exploration of the aftermath of a failed love story. The lyrics describe the feelings of regret and sorrow experienced by both parties involved in the relationship. The chorus repeats the phrase "how insensitive," which refers to the perceived lack of emotional response shown by them when they were told by their partner that they loved them. The repetition of this phrase highlights the pain of the breakup and the self-reflection that comes afterwards.
The first verse describes the singer's initial reaction when their partner confessed their love to them. The singer felt unmoved and cold, and their silence was perceived as insensitive by their partner. The second verse switches to the perspective of the partner in the relationship when they found out that their love was not reciprocated by the singer. The third verse sees the singer alone, remembering their last moments with their partner and the heartbreak present in their final look.
The song ultimately reflects on the power dynamics involved in love and the challenges that come with it. The simple but beautiful melody underscores the melancholic nature of the lyrics, creating a fitting tribute to the complexities of love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
How insensitive, I must have seemed
I appeared insensitive to her feelings
When she told me that she loved me
When she confessed her love for me
How unmoved and cold, I must have seemed
I seemed unaffected and unfeeling
When she told me so sincerely
When she expressed her feelings earnestly
Why she must have asked?
She must have wondered why
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence?
Did I respond with silence and apathy?
What was I to say? What can you say
What could I possibly say in response?
When a love affair is over?
When our relationship had already ended?
Now she's gone away
Now that she's left
And I'm alone with a memory of her last look
And I'm left with the recollection of her final expression
Vague and drawn and sad, I see it still
I still see her expression, unclear but melancholic
All her heartbreak in that last look
Her agony was conveyed in her final expression
How she must have asked
She must have wondered
Could I just turn and stare in icy silence?
Did I just respond with detached silence?
What was I to do? What can one do
What options did I have?
When a love affair is over?
When our relationship had already ended?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel, Vinicius De Moraes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheXynos7
How do you keep the music playing?
How do you make it last?
How do you keep the song from fading too fast?
How do you lose yourself to someone?
And never lose your ways
How do you not run out of new things to say?
And since we're always changing
How can it be the same?
And tell me how year after year
You're sure your heart will fall apart
Each time you hear his name
I know the way I feel for you
It's now or never
The more I love the more that i'm afraid
That in your eyes I may not see forever..
Forever...
If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends
The music
The music never ends
Never ends
Mark Blackburn
Nearing ten thousand "views" I see. Deepest thanks, "marcelo ferrari de almeida camargo" for sharing this visually stunning rendition of one of Tony Bennett's signature songs -- his show closer, here in Winnipeg Canada: Incidentally, that looks just like our Centennial Concert Hall which seats over a thousand -- where on that special night, Tony conspicuously put down his mic and sang this one 'unplugged.'
Minutes later I caught up with his Caddy SUV outside our finest hotel; as he emerged from the limo, accompanied by his daughter, I said:
"Mr. Bennett - that wasn't merely the best performance by an 83-year-old that I could imagine -- that was the finest performance by anyone that I have ever seen!" He smiled and offered his hand (warm but fragile I remember, like my grandpa's). He paused and said, "Really?" I offered my copy of his autobiography THE GOOD LIFE -- telling him as he inscribed the inside cover about how his description of his Dad (who died young of a heart disorder) "went straight to my heart." An assistant, a young blonde man had offered his Sharpie pen, and Mr. Bennett said: "No, no, this deserves a better one" and removed from his jacket pocket a fine pen.
"To Mark,
Thank you very much,
Tony Bennett."
My wife, a life-long Tony Bennett fan, was waiting in our car nearby. Said my Irene: "Don't wash it. I want to shake the hand that shook Tony Bennett's hand."
Thanks again, Marcelo. Shared this day at [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
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"How Do You Keep The Music Playing?" lyrics
Tony Bennett Lyrics
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"How Do You Keep The Music Playing?"
(feat. George Michael)
How do you keep the music playing?
How do you make it last?
How do you keep the song from fading too fast?
How do you lose yourself to someone?
And never lose your way
How do you not run out of new things to say?
And since we know we're always changing
Why should it be the same?
And tell me how year after year
You're sure your heart will fall apart
Each time you hear her name
I know the way you feel for her
It's now or never
The more I love the more that I'm afraid
That in her eyes I may not see forever...
Forever...
If you can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends
I know the way I feel for her
(How do you keep the music playing?)
It's now or never
(How do you make it last)
The more I love the more that I'm afraid
That in her eyes I may not see forever...
Forever...
If you can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends
Donna Nalbach
Sublime…greatness has passed. So thankful I saw him live numerous times.
M Smith
I saw him at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles probably 10 or more years ago. I was sick with a terrible cold but by the time the concert was over I totally forgot I was sick. I’m so sad today. I miss him so much but his music lives forever and aren’t we so lucky
Frank Barcelona
It was in the early 50's that I first heard him on a jukebox Ina pizza restaurant my friends mother owned. The song was Because of You, then Rags to Riches ! I have his 50 year album . Saw him twice in person , so glad he lived !
Ken Kneidel
This is the song that tears me apart, goodby Tony, thanks for this and the many masterful performances you've given us.
Karl Hungus
I feel the same way, Ken. Losing Tony feels like losing a family member.
Ellen troyer
RIP Tony Bennett. Thank you for 70+ years of beautiful music.
Dorothy Kuveke
The strangest thing about this whole performance is that I was a very young child when Tony Bennett began singing his music. My mother and father loved him. I personally only knew his name. Tony Bennett. Today decades later I am listening to Tony Bennett because Tony Bennett is just a phenomenal singer. He is an act that just never dies out 🕊️🦋🌟🌟🌟
Andrew Barwood
One of the greatest songs sung by the greatest popular singer. Irreplaceable.
Guy Saperstein
Sinatra was better
Jennifer Lakshmi Dove
This song….Thank you, Tony, for all the music! Rest in peace. 🕊️❤️❤️❤️