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.
Now It Can Be Told
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
History placed them in a romantic set
In between book covers they are side by side
But the real thing hasn't been written yet
Now it can be told
Told in all it's glory
Now that we have met
The greatest romance they ever knew
Is waiting to
Unfold
Now it can be told
As an inspiration
Every other tale
Of boy meets girl is just an imitation
The great love story
Has never been told before
But now
Now it can be told
The lyrics of Tony Bennett's song, Now It Can Be Told, convey a sense of optimism about a new romantic relationship that has just begun. The opening lines speak of the great lovers of history who were immortalized in literature and myth as examples of romantic perfection. However, the singer suggests that the real thing has never been written about before, and that the love between himself and his partner is the greatest romance the world has ever seen.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "now it can be told," emphasizing the fact that the singer has finally found the love he has been searching for. He suggests that this love is a source of inspiration, and that all other love stories are merely imitations compared to the greatness of his own. The song concludes with the assertion that the greatest love story has never been told before, but now it can be, thanks to the singer's new relationship.
In summary, Tony Bennett's song, Now It Can Be Told, communicates a sense of joy and optimism about a new romantic relationship. The singer suggests that his love is unique and unparalleled, emphasizing the idea that the greatest love story has yet to be told, but has now finally been found.
Line by Line Meaning
All the world's great lovers have been glorified
Throughout history, famous lovers have been idealized and celebrated.
History placed them in a romantic set
The stories of famous romances have been depicted in a way that emphasizes sentimentality and idealism.
In between book covers they are side by side
The stories of famous lovers are often collected and presented in literary contexts.
But the real thing hasn't been written yet
Despite all of these idealized and romantic depictions of love, the truest and most meaningful love story has yet to be told.
Now it can be told
The artist can now finally share their own love story, which they believe is the truest and best example of what love can be.
Told in all it's glory
The singer intends to share their love story with enthusiasm and pride.
Now that we have met
The singer believes that meeting their romantic partner was fated, and the start of their own great love story.
The world may know the sentimental story
The artist is excited to share their love story with others, and believes it is worth celebrating and recounting in a sentimental way.
The greatest romance they ever knew
The artist and their partner believe that their love is the greatest, most meaningful, and most powerful romance ever.
Is waiting to
There is still more to come in the artist and their partner's love story.
Unfold
The full and complete story of the singer and their partner's love will continue to develop over time.
As an inspiration
The artist's own love story is intended to inspire and motivate others to seek out true love and meaningful relationships.
Every other tale
The singer believes that all other depictions and narrations of love stories pale in comparison to their own true love.
Of boy meets girl is just an imitation
The singer sees other love stories as derivative and uninspired compared to their own unique and authentic love story.
The great love story
The singer believes their own love story to be the best, most profound, and most meaningful love story.
Has never been told before
The artist believes that no love story has ever been as meaningful, powerful, and authentic as their own.
But now
The artist is excited to finally be able to share their own love story with the world.
Now it can be told
As before, the singer reiterates that their own love story is the greatest, most meaningful love story of all time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind