Anthony Dominick Benedetto, known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Anthony Dominick Benedetto, known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes and jazz. He is also a painter, having created works under his birth name that are on permanent public display in several institutions. He is the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.

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.

My Funny Valentine
Tony Bennett Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my favorite work of art

Is your figure less than Greek

Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

Is your figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

But don't you change one hair for me
Not if you care for me

Stay little valentine stay
Each day is Valentines Day

Overall Meaning

The song "My Funny Valentine" by Tony Bennett is a tribute to a woman who is not conventionally beautiful, yet has a unique and magnetic charm that draws the singer towards her. The singer finds value in her personality, which is able to make him smile with his heart, despite her unconventional looks. The song is full of contrasts as it alternates between pointing out the woman's imperfections like a weak mouth, and praising her by calling her a sweet comic valentine and his favorite work of art.

The lyrics in the song, which ask if the woman is smart, are seemingly random, but upon closer inspection may suggest that the singer admires intelligence and wit in a woman, rather than only physical beauty. In the final section of the song, the singer urges the woman not to change herself or her flaws for him, but to stay constant and be his little valentine. This could mean that he would rather appreciate her unique qualities and imperfections than have her try to conform to societal beauty standards.

Overall, "My Funny Valentine" is a beautiful and poignant tribute to a woman who may not fit traditional beauty standards, but has a special charisma that draws the singer in.

Line by Line Meaning

My funny valentine
My unique and charming loved one

Sweet comic valentine
My delightful and amusing loved one

You make me smile with my heart
Your love fills me with joy and happiness

Your looks are laughable
Your appearance is unconventional or even eccentric

Unphotographable
You can't be captured and defined by a single picture or image

Yet you're my favorite work of art
Despite your unconventional looks, you are my most beloved and treasured individual

Is your figure less than Greek
Do you not have a perfect physique like the Greek statues of old?

Is your mouth a little weak
Do you not have a strong and confident voice?

When you open it to speak
When you speak your mind

Are you smart?
Are you intelligent?

But don't change a hair for me
Do not change any part of yourself for my sake