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.
Sophisticated Lady
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And in this heart of yours burned a flame
A flame that flickered one day and died away
Then, with disillusion deep in your eyes
You learned that fools in love soon grow wise
The years have changed you, somehow
I see you now
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
Is that all you really want?
Oh no, sophisticated lady
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
And when nobody is nigh you cry
Smoking, drinking, never thinking of tomorrow, nonchalant
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
Is that all you really want?
Oh no, sophisticated lady
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
And when nobody is nigh, when nobody is nigh
Nobody is nigh, you cry
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga's song Sophisticated Lady is a melancholic ballad that explores the emotional complexities of love and loss. The lyrics speak to someone who has experienced the fleeting nature of romance and the eventual disillusionment that comes with it. The first verse sets up the story of a flame that burned brightly but eventually died away, leaving a sense of disillusionment in its wake. The years have changed the singer, and we see her now, smoking, drinking, and living for the moment without a care for the future. She is a sophisticated lady who seems to have it all but is missing the love she lost long ago.
The chorus repeats the refrain of the first verse, emphasizing the loneliness and heartache hidden beneath the veneer of glamour and sophistication. The line "Is that all you really want?" suggests that there is something more profound and meaningful that the singer yearns for, a feeling that cannot be satisfied by material possessions or fleeting pleasures. The repetition of the chorus drives home the idea that the pain of lost love lingers on even when one is surrounded by luxury and glamour.
Overall, Sophisticated Lady is a poignant meditation on the human heart's complexity, the pain of loss, and the search for meaning and connection in an increasingly fragmented and materialistic world.
Line by Line Meaning
They say into your early life romance came
It is being said that you experienced love at a young age
And in this heart of yours burned a flame
You felt a passionate love that burned within your heart
A flame that flickered one day and died away
This love eventually faded away and disappeared
Then, with disillusion deep in your eyes
You became disappointed and lost faith in love
You learned that fools in love soon grow wise
You realized that being blindly in love only leads to heartbreak and learned to be wiser in love
The years have changed you, somehow
Time has passed and you have changed in some way
I see you now
I am seeing you in your current state
Smoking, drinking, never thinking of tomorrow, nonchalant
You engage in unhealthy habits and do not worry about the future, appearing indifferent
Diamonds shining, dancing, dining with some man in a restaurant
You surround yourself with luxuries and socialize with men, possibly to fill the void of lost love
Is that all you really want?
Is this truly fulfilling and satisfying for you?
Oh no, sophisticated lady
You are not just any ordinary woman, but a refined and cultured one
I know, you miss the love you lost long ago
I understand that you still long for the love that you once had but lost
And when nobody is nigh you cry
When you are alone, you cannot help but cry from the pain and loneliness of lost love
When nobody is nigh, when nobody is nigh
When there is no one around to see your pain and emotional vulnerability
Nobody is nigh, you cry
You cry when you are alone and no one is there to see
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Kennedy Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nickriggio8807
Tony does not need advice from anyone. he does everything his way!
@stav3359
They say into
Your early life
Romance came
And in this heart
Of yours
Burned a flame
A flame
That flickered
One day
And died away
Then
With disillusion
Deep in your eyes
You learned
That fools in love
Soon grow wise
The years
Have changed you
Somehow
I see you now
Smoking, drinking
Never thinking
Of tomorrow
Nonchalant
Diamonds shining
Dancing, dining
With some man
In a restaurant
Is that all
You really want?
No
Sophisticated lady
I know
You miss the love
You lost long ago
And when nobody
Is nigh you cry
Is that all
You really want?
No
Sophisticated lady
I know
You miss the heart
You lost long ago
And when nobody
Is nigh you cry
@CharlieHoliday369
Who cares about the melody! LMAO.
#thisIsJustEmbarassing