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.
If I Ruled The World
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every day would be the first day of spring
Every heart would have a new song to sing
And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring
If I ruled the world
Every man would be as free as a bird
Every voice would be a voice to be heard
My world would be a beautiful place
Where we would weave wonderful dreams
My world would wear a smile on its face
Like the man in the moon has when the moon beams
If I ruled the world
Every man would say the world was his friend
There'd be happiness that no man could end
No, my friend, not if I ruled the world
Every head would be held up high
There'd be sunshine in everyone's sky
If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world
The song "If I Ruled The World" was originally composed by Leslie Bricusse and Cyril Ornadel for the 1963 musical, Pickwick. It was later made popular by Tony Bennett's recording in 1965. The song speaks of an ideal world, one where happiness and freedom would reign supreme.
In the first verse, the lyrics describe a world where every day is like the first day of spring, where every heart sings a new song and joy is abundant. The second verse emphasizes the importance of freedom, with every individual being as free as a bird and having their voices heard. The verse ends with a declaration of cherishing each day that occurs.
The chorus brings together the themes of joy, dreams, and happiness into a beautiful imaginary world where everyone is smiling and the man in the moon has a smile on its face. The final verses further reiterate the importance of freedom and happiness, describing a world where every man sees the world as his friend, and where there is abundant happiness that no one can take away.
Overall, the song is a beautiful reflection of human hope and longing for happiness, freedom, and joy. It is a song that reminds us of the beauty of a world where everyone can dream and live peacefully, free from constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
If I ruled the world
If I had control over the world
Every day would be the first day of spring
Each day would feel like a fresh start, full of new opportunities and growth
Every heart would have a new song to sing
Everyone would feel inspired and full of hope
And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring
We would celebrate the happiness that each day brings
Every man would be as free as a bird
All individuals would have complete freedom to pursue their aspirations
Every voice would be a voice to be heard
Everyone's thoughts and opinions would be valued and respected
Take my word we would treasure each day that occurred
We would all appreciate and cherish every moment of our lives
My world would be a beautiful place
The world would be transformed into a wonderful, harmonious environment
Where we would weave such wonderful dreams
We would all have the freedom and support to create and pursue our dreams
My world would wear a smile on its face
The world would radiate positivity and happiness
Like the man in the moon has when the moon beams
Just like the face on the moon is smiling when we see it
Every man would say the world was his friend
Everyone would feel a sense of kinship and camaraderie with one another and the world
There'd be happiness that no man could end
There would be an unbreakable sense of joy and contentment
No my friend, not if I ruled the world
This ideal world would only exist if I had control, which is unlikely
Every head would be held up high
Everyone would have confidence and pride in themselves
There'd be sunshine in everyone's sky
Everyone would have a positive outlook and bright future
If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world
In the unlikely event that I had complete control over everything
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cyril Ornadel, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Africa-ky1bg
💔Anthony Dominick Benedetto💔
YOU WILL BE MISSED
For the beauty of your humanity, the generosity & kindness of your huge heart
🎶& the most beautiful voice🎶 ❗
You have gotten your wings & God
now has you in his heavenly choir.
You serenaded SO MANY GENERATIONS
& you will continue to do so until
this Earth is no more.
💜 RIP you AMAZING man ~
I will miss you EVERYDAY !
YOU MADE THE WORLD A MORE
BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE WITH
YOUR MANY TALENTS 💜
@MTQProd
If I ruled the world
Every day would be the first day of spring
Every heart would have a new song to sing
And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring
If I ruled the world
Every man would be as free as a bird
Every voice would be a voice to be heard
Take my word we would treasure each day that occurred
My world would be a beautiful place
Where we would weave such wonderful dreams
My world would wear a smile on its face
Like the man in the moon has when the moon beams If I ruled the world
Every man would say the world was his friend
There'd be happiness that no man could end
No my friend, not if I ruled the world
Every head would be held up high
There'd be sunshine in everyone's sky
If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world
@TheSinisterMinister666
One of my favorite songs by the great Tony Bennett! RIP sir! ❤️🌹🌹🌹
@kevinl2578
Just heard it rn for the first time and I agree, not just by him but up there with my all time favorites by anyone
@Africa-ky1bg
💔Anthony Dominick Benedetto💔
YOU WILL BE MISSED
For the beauty of your humanity, the generosity & kindness of your huge heart
🎶& the most beautiful voice🎶 ❗
You have gotten your wings & God
now has you in his heavenly choir.
You serenaded SO MANY GENERATIONS
& you will continue to do so until
this Earth is no more.
💜 RIP you AMAZING man ~
I will miss you EVERYDAY !
YOU MADE THE WORLD A MORE
BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE WITH
YOUR MANY TALENTS 💜
@MartyMcFly451
Bruce almighty brought me here
@HowardSail
Me too !
@SeeqKTA
what genre is this?
@HowardSail
The song or the film ?
@disinformatique
SeeqKTA
Timeless Genre ;) real music.
@SeeqKTA
howard sail song
@fabiobustamante1278
Rip legend
The world really will miss that voice 😢