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.
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
The lyrics of Tony Bennett's song, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," convey a sense of futility and disappointment in life. The first two lines express a feeling of constant striving for something beyond reach, as the subject watches clouds drift by and chases rainbows. The singer's schemes and dreams seem to lead nowhere but into the sky, never becoming tangible reality.
The contrast is drawn between the singer and "some fellows," who have the ability to find and enjoy the good things in life, such as sunshine or winning. But despite the singer's efforts, gain always eludes him, and he's left "waiting to find a little bluebird in vain," a metaphorical symbol of happiness or success that he is unable to grasp.
Overall, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" is a powerful expression of the human struggle with unfulfilled desires and the search for meaning and purpose in life. It is a poignant reminder that despite our best efforts, we are often unable to control the outcome of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always chasing rainbows
I am constantly pursuing something that is unattainable
Watching clouds drifting by
I spend my time watching the world go by rather than actively seeking my goals
My schemes are just like all my dreams
My plans for the future are as unrealistic as my fantasies
Ending in the sky
Both my plans and dreams never materialize
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
Some people have a positive outlook and find success easily
I always look and find the rain
I have a negative outlook and only see obstacles and difficulties
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
Some people occasionally achieve success
I never even make a gain
I never manage to make any progress towards my goals
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
I am telling the truth when I say that I am always pursuing something that seems impossible to achieve
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I am hoping to find something rare and beautiful, but it is unlikely to happen
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY CARROLL, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind