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 In Love Again
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than a lot of girls just as pleasin'
That I doff my hat
As a worshiper at your shrine
It's not that you're rarer
Than asparagus out of season
No, my darling, this is the reason
You'd be so nice to come to
You'd be so nice by the fire
While the breeze on high, sang a lullaby
You'd be all that I could desire
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon burning above
You'd be so nice
You'd be paradise, to come home to and love
In Tony Bennett's song "I'm In Love Again," the singer is expressing his admiration and affection for a particular woman. He explains that it's not because she's fairer or rarer than other women, but rather that there's something special about her that draws him in. He compares his feelings to that of a devout worshipper at a shrine, suggesting a deep sense of reverence and devotion.
The singer goes on to describe how being with this woman would be so pleasant and desirable. He paints a picture of sitting by a cozy fire while the wind sings outside, and gazing up at the stars together in both chilly winter weather and warm summer nights. By the end of the song, it's clear that the singer is deeply in love and sees the woman as a paradise to come home to and love.
Overall, "I'm In Love Again" is a sweet and romantic homage to a special someone. The singer's appreciation for the woman shown through his vivid imagery and poetic language, and the notion of finding someone who feels like a paradise to come home to is an enduringly relatable sentiment.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not that you're fairer
Than a lot of girls just as pleasin'
That I doff my hat
As a worshiper at your shrine
I don't acknowledge and worship you just because you're prettier than many other pleasing girls. I do it because I admire and respect you.
It's not that you're rarer
Than asparagus out of season
No, my darling, this is the reason
Why you've got to be mine
It's not your rarity that compels me to make you mine as rare things can fade away quickly just like asparagus out of season. But you, my dear, have certain qualities that I can't resist and that's why I have to have you for myself.
You'd be so nice to come to
You'd be so nice by the fire
While the breeze on high, sang a lullaby
You'd be all that I could desire
Spending time with you would be amazing, especially by the fire. The cool breeze would be a perfect match with a lullaby, which will make everything more romantic. You are everything I could desire.
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon burning above
You'd be so nice
You'd be paradise, to come home to and love
Whether it's the cold winter night or a hot August night, being with you would be a paradise. I can't wait to come home to you and love you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind