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.
Nature Boy
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
In Tony Bennett's song "Nature Boy," the lyrics describe a "strange enchanted boy" who has wandered far and wide over land and sea. Though he appears shy and sad, he possesses great wisdom that he shares with the songwriter. One day, the boy passes the songwriter's way, and they converse about various topics, from "fools and kings" to the greatest lesson the boy has learned in life. The boy reveals that the most significant thing anyone can learn is to love and be loved in return.
The lyrics of "Nature Boy" offer a message of universal significance that can apply to anyone from any generation, culture or religion. The song stresses that no matter how far one may wander or how much wisdom they have attained, the greatest lesson in life is to love and be loved. The songwriter imparts the listener with a sense of the beauty of life and the self-awareness to appreciate it fully.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy
I once came across a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
Who seemed to possess an extraordinary and magical aura
They say he wandered very far, very far
Rumors were, he traveled significantly over various lands and oceans
Over land and sea
Roaming over both the terrain and water bodies
A little shy and sad of eye
Though he looked sad and shy, he held immense knowledge
But very wise was he
He was exceptionally intelligent and knowledgeable
And then one day
One fine day
A magic day he passed my way
I came across him on an enchanted day
And while we spoke of many things
During our conversation, we discussed various matters
Fools and kings
From topics like foolish and wise people to high and low ranks
This he said to me
He then told me something significant
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
The most important lesson you could gain from life
Is just to love and be loved in return
Is to love someone and be loved back in return, as that truly completes one's life
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LuciCantEven
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
@KyleC420
By the end of 2013. ARTPOPs album sales were at 2.3 million worldwide! 9th best album of 2013. Gaga claimed her 2nd #1 album ARTPOP. Applause hit #4 hot 100. DOPE made it to #8 as a promotional single (youtube video awards) DWUW HIT #13 without a video. Venus, ARTPOP, and GUY also charted. Billboard poll shows that Gaga's tour the ARTrave was the voted best tour of 2014.
ANYTHING GOES #1 JAZZ
I can't give you anything but love #1 Jazz
NATURE BOY will probably hit #1
The album will go #1 jazz and just maybe on billborad hot 100!
SHES NOT FLOPPING.. Open ur eyes! Your wasting ur time and life on hate for no reason!
@kra-syva
There was a boy
A very strange, enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far
Very far, over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
One magic day he passed my way
While we spoke of many things
Fools and Kings
This he said to me:
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"
[Instrumental Interlude]
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"
@thisguynijat
I never thought that I would listen to a Jazz song all the day long, repeating all over again and again. Thanks Lady Gaga, for bringing such good music to all of our lives.
@OoMASEoO
Wait until you hear Lush Life! OMG it's sooooo good!
@mariiagustin1692
same here.. extremely great artists.. :-)
@fadhiladinugraha
Lush Life + Nature Boy = Beautiful Night
@limpnoodle5516
And thank Tony!
@anaclaraaraujosantos1218
I need to say the same. Thanks Gaga for your voice, for your art. Love U
@Videofreakboy91
gaga is touring the world, traveling and meeting her fans, enjoying life and doing what she loves. yet the people here hating on her are just being bitter fucks and most likely not doing much with their lives. lol. learn to live and have fun guys!
@PlastiqueTechnologique2002
The people who get the most hate deserve it the least.
@katemonika2744
@@PlastiqueTechnologique2002 AGREED
@dafnealgirl
I will play this song every day at my WINE STORE, this is so relaxing.