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.
Lazy Afternoon
Tony Bennett Lyrics
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And the beetle bugs are zooming
And the tulip trees are blooming
And there's not another human in view,
But us two
It's a lazy afternoon
And the farmer leaves his reaping
In the meadow cows are sleeping
As we dream
A fat pink cloud hangs over the hill
Unfolding like a rose
If you hold my hand and sit real still,
You can hear the grass as it grows
It's a hazy afternoon
And I know a place that's quiet, except for daisies running riot
And there's no one passing by it to see
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me
The lyrics to Tony Bennett's song "Lazy Afternoon" create an image of a tranquil and undisturbed setting where nature is allowed to thrive and there is a sense of complete isolation from the bustling world. As the opening lyric suggests, it's a lazy afternoon with no one else in sight except for the two individuals whose experience we are sharing. The image is set with the beetle bugs buzzing, tulip trees in full bloom, and the meadow cows deeply asleep. The singer invites their companion to join them to share and explore the unbridled beauty the afternoon has to offer.
Throughout the song, the emphasis on nature and the singer's desire to be with their companion serve as a catalyst for the listener's reflection and evokes a sense of longing within us. The fat pink cloud hanging over the hill symbolizes a sense of warmth, protection, and beauty. It's a significant enough image that Bennett revisits it in the final verse as he then guides his companion to a place of peace and safety. The repetition of the "lazy afternoon" reinforces the sense of timelessness the singer is experiencing with their companion.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that life is best enjoyed with the person we care for in simple and natural surroundings. The setting and impeccable delivery by Tony Bennett will take you to a place of serenity and wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a lazy afternoon
Everything is calm and quiet, and we have nothing in particular to do.
And the beetle bugs are zooming
There are bugs flying around quickly in the air.
And the tulip trees are blooming
The trees with tulip-like flowers are in full bloom.
And there's not another human in view,
There is nobody else around besides the two of us.
But us two
We are the only ones here enjoying this lazy afternoon.
And the farmer leaves his reaping
The farmer has stopped working in the fields.
In the meadow cows are sleeping
The cows are resting in the meadow.
And the speckled trout stop leaping up stream
The fish in the stream have stopped jumping out of the water.
As we dream
We are lost in our thoughts and imagination.
A fat pink cloud hangs over the hill
There is a large cloud that looks like a pink rose resting over the hill.
Unfolding like a rose
The cloud is expanding and opening up like a blooming flower.
If you hold my hand and sit real still,
If you stay quiet and calm by holding my hand,
You can hear the grass as it grows
You can listen to the subtle sounds of the grass growing.
It's a hazy afternoon
The day is slightly cloudy and misty.
And I know a place that's quiet, except for daisies running riot
I know of a peaceful place where the only lively thing is a group of wild flowers.
And there's no one passing by it to see
There is nobody coming by or watching what we are doing.
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me
Join me in enjoying this leisurely and laid-back afternoon together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Latouche, Jerome Moross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind