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.
It Could Happen to You
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That trip to heaven till the dance is through
With no one else do the heavens seem quite so near
Why does it happen, dear, only with you?
Two cheeks together can be so divine
But only when those cheeks are yours and mine
I've danced with dozens of others the whole night through
That only happens with you
Two cheeks together can be so divine
But only when those cheeks are yours and mine
I've danced with dozens of others the whole night through
But the thrill that comes with spring when anything can happen
That only happens with you
The lyrics of Tony Bennett's "It Only Happens When I Dance With You" explain a very specific feeling that the singer experiences when he dances with a certain person. The song begins by stating that this feeling only comes about when he dances with this particular person. The singer describes the experience as a trip to heaven that lasts for the duration of the dance. He says that the heavens seem closer when he is dancing with this person and he wonders why this particular feeling only happens with them.
The lyrics then go on to say that while two cheeks pressed together can be a wonderful feeling, it is only when they belong to the person he is dancing with that it truly feels divine. The singer admits to having danced with "dozens of others the whole night through" but only this one person brings the thrill of spring when anything can happen. He truly believes that there is something special and unique about dancing with this person that he can't experience with anyone else, and he expresses that feeling beautifully through the lyrics of this song.
Overall, the lyrics of “It Only Happens When I Dance With You” describe the magical and unexplainable feeling that the singer gets when he dances with a certain person. The song emphasizes how the chemistry between two people can truly make a moment even more special and unforgettable.
Line by Line Meaning
It only happens when I dance with you
The feeling of pure joy and elation only occurs when I am dancing with you.
That trip to heaven till the dance is through
The experience of dancing with you is so heavenly and blissful that it feels like a trip to paradise.
With no one else do the heavens seem quite so near
No other person makes me feel as close to heaven as you do when we dance together.
Why does it happen, dear, only with you?
I am puzzled about why this incredible feeling only happens when I am dancing with you, my dear.
Two cheeks together can be so divine
The physical closeness we share when we dance and our cheeks touch feels heavenly.
But only when those cheeks are yours and mine
This feeling only occurs when it is your cheeks touching mine.
I've danced with dozens of others the whole night through
I have danced with many other people throughout the night.
But the thrill that comes with spring when anything can happen
However, nothing compares to the excitement that comes with the sense of new beginnings and unlimited possibilities, which I only experience with you.
That only happens with you
This amazing feeling can only happen when I dance with you.
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind