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 Thru With Love
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never fall again.
Said I do to love,
Don't ever call again.
For I must have you
Or no one.
That's why I'm thru with love.
I keep my feelings there.
I have stopped my heart
Like an icy frigidaire.
For I need to care for no one.
That's why I'm thru with love.
Why did you leave me
To think that you cared.
You didn't need me.
You have your share
of slaves around you
To hound you and swear
Their deep devotion.
Emotion.
Did you good by the spring
And all it meant to me
a good neighbor
The things that used to be.
For I must have you or no one.
That's why I'm thru with love.
That's why I'm thru with love.
In the song "I'm Thru' with Love," Tony Bennett expresses his disillusionment with love and his decision to lock away his heart. He declares that he will never fall in love again and has said goodbye to love forever. This decision comes as a result of his strong desire for one person and one person only. He believes that if he cannot have that person, he does not want to love anyone else.
Bennett describes locking his heart and keeping his feelings in a metaphorical icebox. He has no desire to care for anyone else but the person he longs for, and he cannot bear the thought of giving his love to anyone else. He questions why he was left to believe that his love was reciprocated and wonders why he wasn't enough. The singer makes it clear that he is better off without love and the pain that comes with it.
The lyrics of the song capture the singer's intense emotions, which are further enhanced by the melancholic tone of the music. The song is a beautiful expression of how love can bruise and wound a person. The lyrics suggest that sometimes it is better to keep one's feelings to oneself, rather than expose oneself to the pain that love can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm thru with love,
I have decided to give up on love altogether.
I'll never fall again.
I won't allow myself to fall in love again.
Said I do to love,
I committed myself to love in the past.
Don't ever call again.
I don't want to hear from love anymore.
For I must have you
Or no one.
I won't settle for anyone but the person I want.
That's why I'm thru with love.
This is why I have given up on love.
I've locked my heart.
I have closed off my heart from any potential emotional pain.
I keep my feelings there.
I don't let my emotions control me anymore.
I have stopped my heart
Like an icy frigidaire.
I have intentionally made my heart cold and unfeeling.
For I need to care for no one.
I don't want to invest emotional energy into anyone else.
Why did you leave me
To think that you cared.
I am wondering why you made me believe you cared when you actually didn't.
You didn't need me.
You didn't truly require my presence.
You have your share
of slaves around you
To hound you and swear
Their deep devotion.
You have enough admirers around you who will flatter and adore you.
Emotion.
But all that is just empty emotion, not genuine love.
Did you good by the spring
And all it meant to me
a good neighbor
The things that used to be.
You reminded me of the good old days, when we were good neighbors.
For I must have you or no one.
I still desire only you or nobody at all.
That's why I'm thru with love.
That's why I'm done with love altogether.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES TOBIAS, CLIFF FRIEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stav3359
I have given you my true love
But you love a new love
What am I supposed to do now
With you now
You're through now
You'll be on your merry way
And there's only this to say
I'm through with love,
I'll never fall again,
Said adieu to love,
Don't ever
call again,
For I must have you or no one,
and so I'm through with love.
I've locked my heart,
I'll keep my feelings there.
I have stocked my heart with icy frigid air,
and I mean to care for no one,
because I'm through with love.
Why did you lead me to think you could care?
You didn't need me,
for you had your share
of slaves around you to hound you and swear,
With deep emotion,
Devotion to you.
Goodbye to spring,
and all it meant to me,
It could never bring the things that used to be,
for I must have you or no one,
and so I'm through with love.
@roger7155
How lucky we are to hear this sound . . . Thank you.
@nickriggio8807
Nick Riggio
10 months ago (edited)
Tony is on Facebook: Friends of Tony Bennett
@sheyshannow2065
My favourite Tony Bennett song of all. His beautifully unique and magnificent voice, his rendering, intonation, moves me in this wonderful song like no one else can. Thank you very much for sharing.
@kingsman2.065
Just got my heart broken 💔
This song makes so much sense 🥲
@ciociosan
RIP, Maestro!
@daviddingledy9474
Tony, you'll always be loved by your devoted fans. Keep on singing!
@carsson123
**....**....This man gets me every ****** time...Thank you,sir.
@ginokwiek9432
Tnanks tony your the best living Entertainer .rip old blue eyes frank sinatra
@UndefinedDakeFTW
Damn, this gets me everytime.
@TWICEJR77
cheers Tony. your the best.