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.
Steppin' out with My Baby
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
It's for sure, not for maybe
That I'm all dressed up tonight
Steppin' out with my honey
Can't be bad to feel so good
Never felt quite so sunny
There'll be smooth sailin'
'Cause I'm trimmin' my sails
With my top hat and my white tie and my tails
Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
Ask me when will the day be
The big day may be tonight
If I seem to scintillate
It's because I've got a date
A date with a package of
The good things that come with love
You don't have to ask me
I won't waste your time
But if you should ask me
Why I feel sublime, yes
There'll be smooth sailin'
'Cause I'm trimmin' my sails
In my top hat and my white tie and my tails
I am steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
Ask me when will the day be
The big day may be tonight, what a night
In Tony Bennett's song "Steppin' Out with My Baby," the singer expresses his excitement about going out with his significant other. The lyrics suggest that the singer is dressed in his best attire, and he is confident that nothing can go wrong because he is in the right. He is optimistic about the evening and the possibility that the big day may be tonight. The lyrics reveal his enthusiasm and joy about going out and being in love.
The singer is thrilled to be stepping out with his honey, and he feels great because of it. He is knocking on wood to keep his lucky streak going. He believes that the evening will go smoothly because he's trimmed his sails, and he's dressed to impress in his top hat, white tie, and tails. His shining aura is due to his date with a package of the good things that come with love. The singer is confident about the evening's prospects, and he can't stop talking about how he feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Steppin' out with my baby
I am going out with my significant other
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
I feel very confident and sure about my decision to go out tonight
It's for sure, not for maybe
I am absolutely certain that I am all dressed up for tonight's occasion
That I'm all dressed up tonight
I dressed up especially for this occasion
Steppin' out with my honey
I am going out with my significant other
Can't be bad to feel so good
It feels really good to be dressed up and going out
Never felt quite so sunny
I have never felt so happy and positive
And I keep on knockin' wood
I want to make sure that everything goes well tonight
There'll be smooth sailin'
I am expecting things to go smoothly tonight
'Cause I'm trimmin' my sails
I am doing everything I can to ensure that things go well
With my top hat and my white tie and my tails
I am dressed formally for this occasion
Ask me when will the day be
Someone might wonder when my big day is
The big day may be tonight
I could consider tonight a special occasion worth celebrating
If I seem to scintillate
If I appear to be sparkling or shining
It's because I've got a date
It is because I am excited to be going out tonight
A date with a package of
I am going to enjoy all the wonderful things that come with love tonight
The good things that come with love
I am going to enjoy all the positive feelings and experiences that love brings
You don't have to ask me
I don't need anyone to ask me about how excited I am for tonight
I won't waste your time
I don't want to keep talking about it and bother anyone
But if you should ask me
If someone does happen to ask me
Why I feel sublime, yes
Why I feel so fantastic and wonderful tonight
I am Steppin' out with my baby
I am going out with my significant other
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in the right
I feel very confident and sure about my decision to go out tonight
Ask me when will the day be
Someone might wonder when my big day is
The big day may be tonight, what a night
I could consider tonight a special occasion worth celebrating and a memorable night
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jefreyestebanosoriomoreno3838
Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in right
It's for sure, not for maybe
That I'm all dressed up tonight
Steppin' out with my honey
Can't be bad to feel so good
Never felt quite so sunny
And I keep on knockin' wood
There'll be smooth sailin' 'cause I'm trimmin' my sails
In my top hat and my white tie and my tails
Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in right
Ask me when will the day be
The big day may be tonight
If I seem to scintillate
It's because I've got a date
A date with a package of
The good things that come with love
You don't have to ask me
I won't waste your time
But if you should ask me
Why I feel sublime
Dance
There'll be smooth sailin' 'cause I'm trimmin' my sails
In my top hat and my white tie and my tails
Tony Bennett
Steppin' out with my baby
Can't go wrong 'cause I'm in right
Tony Bennett & Christina Aguilera
Ask me when will the day be
The big day may be tonight
@duncan3998
RIP Tony. Thanks for blessing me with his 1993 masterpiece. U will forever be missed 🎶🎼🙏
@LGranthamsHeir
RIP Tony. Thanks for all the great American songs you have sung in a 70+ years career.
@richardburchett
I don't know how Tony Bennett managed to find so much exposure to a wider, younger audience in the 90s, but I was one of those kids and I'm glad for it. He found relevance in a way that he deserved. For me, the big moment came when I was on a spring break trip to Las Vegas and we were somewhere outside of town and heard Shadow of Your Smile on a station that played all of the American standards. It was a perfect moment and my appreciation became life long.
@xennial80sxberner
The 90s might've been one of the most diverse eras for music. Mr. Bennett's comeback in the heart of the alternative/grunge era seems surprising and unlikely, but it makes sense when you think about it.
A laid back jazz song like this with just a teeny bit of a (for then) contemporary production fits in with the mid 90s, since there were so many types of music co-existing, and it seems like the very beginning of a time when young people were more open to older/different styles of music.
Of course, his second comeback doing duets with Lady GaGa is equally impressive.
@duncan3998
1993 hidden gem.
@Thediamondduck11
He didn’t have to change anything, he still dressed the same, he still sung standards, and younger people liked him because he was different.
@CapedCrusader50
And the gangsta rap era.....this is when Snoop Dogg burst on the scene
@lunalea1250
This " absolute gem of a song" just popped into my head, came for a listen, still as good as I remembered, well done everyone!💫💜🕊🕊🕊
@palomaelizabethconstidopol6598
I remember this song was so well received that he even performed at the MTV AWARDS! STANDING OVATION ...
@SPTO
RIP to a legend. This is the song that re-popularized him to the masses and is one of my favorites of his.