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 Party
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time to call it a day
They've burst your pretty balloon
And taken the moon away
It's time to wind up the masquerade
Just make your mind up the piper must be paid
The party's over
You danced and dreamed through the night
It seemed to be right just being with him
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
Take off your makeup, the party's over
It's all over, my friend
The party's over
It's time to call it a day
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
Take off your makeup, the party's over
It's all over, my friend
It's all over, my friend
In Tony Bennett's "The Party," the lyrics convey a bittersweet sense of finality, as if a time of celebration has come to an abrupt end. The chorus repeats the phrase, "The party's over," emphasizing the melancholy mood that pervades the entire song. The second line, "It's time to call it a day," implies that the fun and festivities have lasted into the night, long past the time that they should have ended. The line "They've burst your pretty balloon and taken the moon away" is a metaphor that conveys the sense of disappointment and disillusionment that often occurs when a long-awaited event finally comes to a close. The joyful atmosphere of the party has been replaced by a sense of loss and sadness.
The line "Just make your mind up, the piper must be paid" suggests that there is a price to be paid for the fun that has been had. This could be a literal payment for the party or a metaphorical payment in the form of an emotional toll. The second verse expands on this idea with the line "Now you must wake up, all dreams must end." The party was a dreamlike experience that has now come to a harsh and abrupt conclusion. The last line of the song, "It's all over, my friend," leaves little room for interpretation. The party has ended, and it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
The party's over
The celebration or good times have come to an end.
It's time to call it a day
It's time to end things before it gets too late.
They've burst your pretty balloon
Your expectations or hopes have been shattered unexpectedly.
And taken the moon away
It feels like you've lost everything, even the impossible dreams you had.
It's time to wind up the masquerade
It's time to stop pretending, hiding behind the facade or the costume you put up to sustain the moment.
Just make your mind up the piper must be paid
You must face the consequences of your actions, especially when you know that it held an inevitable cost or danger.
The candles flicker and dim
The joy and excitement slowly fades away, as the night draws to a close.
You danced and dreamed through the night
However, you've enjoyed the party too much, lost yourself in the moment and forgot the reality for a night.
It seemed to be right just being with him
Being with someone, made you feel special or that you had a purpose in your life.
Now you must wake up, all dreams must end
It's time to face the truth and realize that the happy moments can't last forever.
Take off your makeup, the party's over
Remove the clothes or the mask that you've put on for the party, it's time to deal with the total reality.
It's all over, my friend
It's time to accept the reality and move on.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADOLPH GREEN, BETTY COMDEN, JULE STYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheXynos7
How do you keep the music playing?
How do you make it last?
How do you keep the song from fading too fast?
How do you lose yourself to someone?
And never lose your ways
How do you not run out of new things to say?
And since we're always changing
How can it be the same?
And tell me how year after year
You're sure your heart will fall apart
Each time you hear his name
I know the way I feel for you
It's now or never
The more I love the more that i'm afraid
That in your eyes I may not see forever..
Forever...
If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends
The music
The music never ends
Never ends
Mark Blackburn
Nearing ten thousand "views" I see. Deepest thanks, "marcelo ferrari de almeida camargo" for sharing this visually stunning rendition of one of Tony Bennett's signature songs -- his show closer, here in Winnipeg Canada: Incidentally, that looks just like our Centennial Concert Hall which seats over a thousand -- where on that special night, Tony conspicuously put down his mic and sang this one 'unplugged.'
Minutes later I caught up with his Caddy SUV outside our finest hotel; as he emerged from the limo, accompanied by his daughter, I said:
"Mr. Bennett - that wasn't merely the best performance by an 83-year-old that I could imagine -- that was the finest performance by anyone that I have ever seen!" He smiled and offered his hand (warm but fragile I remember, like my grandpa's). He paused and said, "Really?" I offered my copy of his autobiography THE GOOD LIFE -- telling him as he inscribed the inside cover about how his description of his Dad (who died young of a heart disorder) "went straight to my heart." An assistant, a young blonde man had offered his Sharpie pen, and Mr. Bennett said: "No, no, this deserves a better one" and removed from his jacket pocket a fine pen.
"To Mark,
Thank you very much,
Tony Bennett."
My wife, a life-long Tony Bennett fan, was waiting in our car nearby. Said my Irene: "Don't wash it. I want to shake the hand that shook Tony Bennett's hand."
Thanks again, Marcelo. Shared this day at [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
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"How Do You Keep The Music Playing?" lyrics
Tony Bennett Lyrics
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"How Do You Keep The Music Playing?"
(feat. George Michael)
How do you keep the music playing?
How do you make it last?
How do you keep the song from fading too fast?
How do you lose yourself to someone?
And never lose your way
How do you not run out of new things to say?
And since we know we're always changing
Why should it be the same?
And tell me how year after year
You're sure your heart will fall apart
Each time you hear her name
I know the way you feel for her
It's now or never
The more I love the more that I'm afraid
That in her eyes I may not see forever...
Forever...
If you can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends
I know the way I feel for her
(How do you keep the music playing?)
It's now or never
(How do you make it last)
The more I love the more that I'm afraid
That in her eyes I may not see forever...
Forever...
If you can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends
Donna Nalbach
Sublime…greatness has passed. So thankful I saw him live numerous times.
M Smith
I saw him at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles probably 10 or more years ago. I was sick with a terrible cold but by the time the concert was over I totally forgot I was sick. I’m so sad today. I miss him so much but his music lives forever and aren’t we so lucky
Frank Barcelona
It was in the early 50's that I first heard him on a jukebox Ina pizza restaurant my friends mother owned. The song was Because of You, then Rags to Riches ! I have his 50 year album . Saw him twice in person , so glad he lived !
Ken Kneidel
This is the song that tears me apart, goodby Tony, thanks for this and the many masterful performances you've given us.
Karl Hungus
I feel the same way, Ken. Losing Tony feels like losing a family member.
Ellen troyer
RIP Tony Bennett. Thank you for 70+ years of beautiful music.
Dorothy Kuveke
The strangest thing about this whole performance is that I was a very young child when Tony Bennett began singing his music. My mother and father loved him. I personally only knew his name. Tony Bennett. Today decades later I am listening to Tony Bennett because Tony Bennett is just a phenomenal singer. He is an act that just never dies out 🕊️🦋🌟🌟🌟
Andrew Barwood
One of the greatest songs sung by the greatest popular singer. Irreplaceable.
Guy Saperstein
Sinatra was better
Jennifer Lakshmi Dove
This song….Thank you, Tony, for all the music! Rest in peace. 🕊️❤️❤️❤️