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 Left My Heart in San Francisco
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The glory that was Rome is of another day
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me
The song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" by Tony Bennett is a tribute to the city that the artist considers to be his second home. The opening lines of the song express how other great cities of the world, such as Paris and Rome, seem to have lost their luster for the singer. He feels alone and forgotten in Manhattan and is yearning for the familiar embrace of his beloved San Francisco.
The singer's love for San Francisco is depicted in a picturesque way as he describes the city's charm and beauty. The hills of the city call to him, and he longs to be there, where cable cars ascend halfway to the sky. The weather is not a deterrent. Even if the air is chilly with morning fog, the singer declares that he does not care.
The singer's love is waiting for him in the city, above the windy sea. And as he returns to his beloved, he knows that the city that he left his heart in will welcome him with the warm and comforting embrace of its golden sun. Through this song, Tony Bennett pays a heartfelt tribute to the city that he considers to be his true home.
Line by Line Meaning
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray
Paris may be beautiful, but it no longer holds the same charm and appeal it once did
The glory that was Rome is of another day
Rome's greatness is a thing of the past and cannot be relived
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I've been feeling lonely and neglected in New York City
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I'm returning to San Francisco, the city I love
I left my heart in San Francisco
San Francisco holds a special place in my heart
High on a hill, it calls to me
The city of San Francisco, particularly the view from a hill, has a powerful pull on me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
I want to be in a place where even the cable cars have a sense of height and grandeur
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
The temperature or weather conditions do not matter to me as long as I am in San Francisco
My love waits there in San Francisco
The person I love is in San Francisco and I cannot wait to see them
Above the blue and windy sea
San Francisco is situated near the Pacific Ocean and the sea is one of its main features
When I come home to you, San Francisco
I am returning to San Francisco, the place I consider to be my home
Your golden sun will shine for me
I am returning to a place that is full of warmth, energy, and brightness
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Douglas Cross, George Cory
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kirsten Logan
Happy Heavenly birthday mom ✨♥️
Mother's Garden
I grew up amongst every kind of plant and flower,
Beyond our gate was the garden of dear mother;
This Eden was colourful, tangled and so sensational,
So erratic, untamed and just totally unmanageable.
Mother knew the Latin names of each blooming posy,
The iris, lily, rose, aster, dahlia, marigold and peony;
I really loved the purple larkspur and pink gardenia,
Mother said she loved them all but adored camellia.
Brightly painted butterflies danced and glided happily,
And the nesting birds all sang their songs so loudly;
We had an old swing and we would sit and sip tea,
In the shade of the trees, just my mother and me.
O to turn back the clock of time, moving and clicking,
To be in my mother's garden again, a child dreaming.
♥️
Jason Heavner
It was announced that Tony was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016 and I saw him live at the Memphis Orpheum in 2018 and he was flawless! He even put down the mic on his stool and belted some notes. You could've heard him clearly. Amazing singer and an icon! I hate that he has this ugly disease! Prayers for you Mr. Bennett!
Ely Regalado
@Kitty Jones kk
Kitty Jones
Oftentimes, it's the deep seated memories that shine through with that disease. X
Leticia dReyes
Yes Tony was a cable car or bus driver in SF. He was singing then got discovered. Another city resident Robin Williams was a delivery guy riding on a bike, during those years SF was famous in making movies, seen actors from Hollywood down the city walking freely. Yes I read the book n native of SF.
Gabagool1959🇮🇹
It doesnt look like he has it that bad tho so that's good
Jerry Munroe
I was six years old in 1962 and I remember my Mother and Father had one of their heated arguments. My Dad took me in his car and began to drive around to try to calm down. As he turned on the car radio this song began to play. I won't forget the effect it had on him, or me. Beautiful song from long ago
F Liu
This song always makes me cry like now in 10/2022, it "was" so beautiful...and I'm from S.F. (worked in 1988 CITICORP Financial Center). Today S.F. is the City of Homeless, Ruthless ANTIFA, BLM, Chinese Communist Party sex spies and LEFTIST capitol. Sad. Everyday, I could never imagine "How can this be?" - Wondering and yarning for this song from Austin Texas where I moved to.
Burr Anderson
Even though, those were the day.
Valerie Paternostro
Wow. Just lost a friend..93...that was her wish..i have son 30..but he knew her too..do anything for her...now..my son...coming back to me
marshamcc01
Wow, Jerry, I was born a year after you, lol! I miss all the gears, my mom had all their records! Matt King Cole, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day...so many more,but Tony lives on. Love u Tiny Bennett!!👍🏽💖♥️