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.
Samba de Orfeu
Tony Bennett Lyrics
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I want to dance
The lyrics of Tony Bennett's song "Samba de Orfeu" express the desire to live life to the fullest and enjoy its beauty through dancing. The song captures the essence of the samba, which is a lively and energetic Brazilian dance that is often associated with carnival. The lyrics suggest that the dancer is feeling overwhelmed by the joy of life and wants to express it through movement.
The song's title refers to the mythical figure of Orfeu, who was a musician and poet in ancient Greek mythology. In the samba context, Orfeu is associated with the famous Brazilian film "Orfeu Negro" (Black Orpheus), which was released in 1959 and showcased the excitement and energy of Brazilian culture. The film's soundtrack featured several songs composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfa, including "Samba de Orfeu."
The song's lyrics are a tribute to the beauty of life and the joy of the samba. They capture the essence of Brazilian culture and the importance of dancing as a form of self-expression. The rhythm and melody of the song are infectious, making it a favorite among fans of Latin music.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to live
I have a deep desire to experience life to the fullest.
I want to dance
I want to express my happiness and joy through movement and rhythm.
Contributed by Eliana M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.