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.
Lush Life
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those come what may places
Where one relaxes on the axis of the wheel of life
To get the feel of life
From jazz and cocktails
The girls I knew had sad and sullen gray faces
With distingué traces
That used to be there you could see where
By too many through the day
Twelve o'clocktails
Then you came along with your siren's song
To tempt me to madness
I thought for a while that your pointed smile
Was tinged with the sadness
Of a great love for me
Ah yes, I was wrong
Again I was wrong
Life is lonely again
And only last year
Everything seemed so assured
Now life is awful again
A thoughtful of heart
Could only be a bore
A week in Paris could ease the bite of it
All I care is to smile in spite of it
I'll forget you, I will
Oh yet you are still
Burning inside my brain
Romance is mush
Stifling those who strive
I'll live a lush
Life in some small dive
And there I'll be
While I rot with the rest
Of those whose lives are lonely too
The lyrics to Tony Bennett / Lady Gaga's song "Lush Life" depict the singer's nostalgia for the past, where they used to visit "gay places" and soak in the jazz and cocktails of life. Contrasting with these memories are the "sad and sullen gray faces" of the girls the singer used to know - their former beauty fading away due to the constant drinking culture.
But despite the loneliness and heartbreak, the singer is convinced that they can still live a lush life in spite of it all. They vow to forget the love interest that has caused them pain and instead, opt for a life of indulgence and decadence in small bars, where they will rot with the rest of the lonely lives.
This song appears to celebrate a time in history where bars were often the only places to relax and unwind. It also showcases the persistence of nostalgia, which may lead one to romanticize the past in order to escape the present. Furthermore, the lyrics may be interpreted as a call to seize the day and make the most out of one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to visit all the very gay places
In the past, I used to frequent nightclubs and bars that were popular and lively.
Those come what may places
These places were known for being unpredictable, but I would still go anyway.
Where one relaxes on the axis of the wheel of life
These places were where people could unwind and feel alive, like being at the center of the experience.
To get the feel of life
I went to these places to truly experience what life had to offer.
From jazz and cocktails
I enjoyed hearing live jazz music while I sipped on cocktails.
The girls I knew had sad and sullen gray faces
The women I encountered at these places often looked unhappy and defeated.
With distingué traces
However, they still somehow had an air of sophistication about them.
That used to be there you could see where
Their once-present refinement could still be seen in the remnants of their appearance.
They'd been washed away
But it was clear that their struggles and hardships had taken their toll and stripped them of their former elegance.
By too many through the day
The difficult circumstances of their lives had clearly been too much for them to bear.
Twelve o'clocktails
By the time I would arrive at these nightclubs, it would already be late and we would be drinking until midnight or later.
Then you came along with your siren's song
But then you appeared and your alluring presence was like a sweet song that called to me.
To tempt me to madness
You were so tempting that I was driven to act obsessively and irrationally at times.
I thought for a while that your pointed smile
At first, I thought that your smile was aimed at me in a way that hinted at a deep love and connection between us.
Was tinged with the sadness
However, upon further reflection, it became clear that your smile was actually a bit sad and melancholic.
Of a great love for me
Despite my initial misinterpretation, I thought that perhaps you did have a powerful love for me.
Ah yes, I was wrong
But my hopes were dashed, as it became clear that I was completely mistaken.
Again I was wrong
Once again, I had fallen into a trap of confusion and delusion.
Life is lonely again
Now I feel alone and forgotten again.
And only last year
It wasn't long ago that I felt like everything was secure and predictable.
Everything seemed so assured
It felt like my life was under control, with no unpleasant surprises or upheavals in sight.
Now life is awful again
But now everything is terrible once more.
A thoughtful of heart
Someone like me, who feels things deeply, will only be upset by this state of affairs.
Could only be a bore
It's simply too dull and unpleasant to try to cope with this situation.
A week in Paris could ease the bite of it
Maybe a trip to Paris would make me feel better and ease my pain a bit.
All I care is to smile in spite of it
But ultimately, I just want to be able to smile again and find happiness despite my problems.
I'll forget you, I will
I will try to forget about you and move on with my life.
Oh yet you are still
But even as I try to forget you, you still linger in my thoughts and feelings.
Burning inside my brain
I can't seem to shake the memories and pain associated with you, which continue to cause me distress.
Romance is mush
Lovey-dovey, romantic relationships are kind of ridiculous and impractical.
Stifling those who strive
They can make you feel a sense of suffocation and hold you back from pursuing your dreams.
I'll live a lush
Instead, I will choose to live a luxurious and enjoyable life.
Life in some small dive
I don't need anything fancy or sophisticated - I can find pleasure and contentment in a humble bar or nightclub.
And there I'll be
In those small, simple places, I will be happy and free.
While I rot with the rest
Meanwhile, there are plenty of other people out there just like me, living lonely and unsatisfying lives.
Of those whose lives are lonely too
Many others are experiencing the same kind of hardship and struggle, unable to find the hope and joy they need.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind