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.

Sing You Sinners
Tony Bennett Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Brothers, sisters
Listen to what I say
Moanin' and groanin'
Won't drive those blues away
Lift up your voices in song
You know you've all done wrong

You sinners, drop everything

Let that harmony ring
Up to Heaven
Sing, you sinners

Just wave your arms all about
Let the Lord hear you shout
Pour the music right out
Sing, you sinners

Whenever there's music
The Devil kicks
He don't allow music
By the river Styx

You're wicked and you're depraved
And you've all misbehaved
If you wanna be saved
Sing, you sinners

Well, up until now
I've been asking everybody to sing
But if you won't sing
C'mon dance

Go band swing, go, yeah
Swing, swing, bop, bop, bop
Uuh swing, swing, swing
Swing, you sinners

Whenever there's music
The Devil kicks
Ooh He don't allow music
By the river Styx

You're wicked and you're depraved
And you've all misbehaved
Oh if you wanna be saved

If you wanna be saved
Well, sing, you sinners

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Sing You Sinners" by Tony Bennett capture the essence of gospel music to inspire people to mend their ways and repent for their misdeeds. The song begins with a call to the audience, "Brothers, sisters, listen to what I say," suggesting that they need to pay attention to something important. This is followed by the assertion that moaning and groaning won't drive away the blues; instead, they need to lift their voices in song, acknowledging the wrong they have done. The refrain "Sing, you sinners" repeats several times, urging them to let the 'harmony ring to heaven.' Bennett emphasizes that music is an essential element of life, and when people sing, the devil is powerless, and they can be saved.

As the song progresses, Bennett emphasizes the role of music in countering the devil's influence. Whenever there's music, the devil is kicked out, and he doesn't allow music at the river Styx. The use of biblical allusions and imagery, such as the river Styx, enhances the song's religious appeal. Bennett then notes "You're wicked and You're depraved," indicative of original sin, an idea in Christianity that emphasizes the sinful nature of human beings since the fall of Adam and Eve. But Bennett offers hope, suggesting that if the people want to be saved, they should sing and dance.

Line by Line Meaning

Brothers, sisters
Addressing the audience

Listen to what I say
Pay attention to my message

Moanin' and groanin', won't drive those blues away
Complaining won't solve your problems

Lift up your voices in song
Express yourself through music

You know you've all done wrong
Acknowledge your mistakes

You sinners, drop everything
Attention grabbing, urging people to participate

Let that harmony ring, up to Heaven
Sing together, create a beautiful sound

Sing, you sinners
Reinforcing the main message

Just wave your arms all about
Get into the music, let yourself go

Let the Lord hear you shout
Get the attention of a higher power

Pour the music right out
Express yourself fully

Whenever there's music, the Devil kicks
Music can be seen as sinful by some

He don't allow music, By the river Styx
Reference to a location in Greek mythology associated with death

You're wicked and you're depraved, And you've all misbehaved
Acknowledgment of past sins

If you wanna be saved, Sing you sinners
Music can be redemptive

Well up until now, I've been asking everybody to sing
Introducing a different approach

But if you won't sing, C'mon dance
Alternative way to engage with the music

Go band swing, go, yeah, Swing, swing, bop, bop, bop, Uuh swing, swing, swing, Swing, you sinners
Encouragement to keep dancing and enjoying the music

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sam Coslow, W. Franke Harling

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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