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.
The Gentle Rain
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk with me in the gentle rain.
Don't be afraid; I've a hand for your hand,
And I will be your love for a while.
I feel your tears as they fall on my cheek,
They are warm in the gentle rain.
Don't be afraid; I've a hand for your hand,
Very sweet like the gentle rain, like the gentle rain,
Like the gentle rain, gentle rain, gentle rain, gentle rain.
The lyrics of "Gentle Rain" by Tony Bennett speak about two individuals who feel lost and alone in the world but find solace in each other's company in the midst of rainfall. The singer invites their partner to walk with them in the gentle rain and assures them that they don't need to be afraid because they have a hand for their partner's hand. The singer promises to be their love for a while and provide comfort in the rainy moment.
The empathy and tenderness in the lyrics is especially evident in the line "I feel your tears as they fall on my cheek." The singer acknowledges their partner's sadness and offers solace through both physical and emotional connection. The use of the gentle rain as a metaphor for the fleeting sweetness and sadness of their love further highlights the transience of their togetherness. The song is a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of human connections and the importance of finding comfort in one another in moments of vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
We both are lost and alone in the world,
We are both feeling lost and alone in the vastness of the world.
Walk with me in the gentle rain.
Come with me and experience the peace and serenity of the gentle rain.
Don't be afraid; I've a hand for your hand,
There's no need to be scared, I'm here to hold your hand.
And I will be your love for a while.
I will be with you and love you for the time being.
I feel your tears as they fall on my cheek,
I can sense your tears falling on my cheek.
They are warm in the gentle rain.
Even your tears feel warm and comforting in the soothing rain.
And our love will be sweet, will be sad,
Our love will be bittersweet, filled with both happiness and sadness.
Very sweet like the gentle rain, like the gentle rain,
Our love will be as sweet and refreshing as the gentle rain.
Like the gentle rain, gentle rain, gentle rain, gentle rain.
Our love will be as calm and rejuvenating as the gentle rain, repeating and persisting.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: LUIZ BONFA, MATT DUBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind