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 Shadow of Your Smile
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One day in early spring
You held a piper in your hand
To mend its broken wing
Now I'll remember many a day
And many a lonely mile
The echo of a piper's song
The shadow of a smile
The shadow of your smile
When you are gone
Will color all my dreams
And light the dawn
Look into my eyes
My love and see
All the lovely things
You are to me
Our wistful little star
Was far too high
A teardrop kissed your lips
And so did I
Now when I remember spring
All the joy that love can bring
I will be remembering
The shadow of your smile
The Shadow of Your Smile by Tony Bennett is a song about reminiscing about a past love. It begins by recalling a memory from an early spring day, where they walked along the sand and the person held a piper with a broken wing. The memory stuck with the singer and they now recall it as one of the many lonely miles. The piper's song echoed and that memory is the shadow of a smile, making one think about happier times.
The song then goes on to express the impact that the person has had on the singer's life. The shadow of their smile will color all their dreams and light the dawn. The second verse speaks about the star that was too high to catch, and how it became a painful memory. But even in those memories, the singer remembers and cherishes the lovely things that person was to them. Even though they are gone, their shadow remains, making them impossible to forget.
Overall, The Shadow of Your Smile is a melancholic song about remembering past love, its joys, and its pains. The shadow of the person's smile will always be with the singer, and they will always treasure the memory and the person. It's a reminder that even though relationships may end, the memories and the love that was shared may continue to linger on.
Line by Line Meaning
One day we walked along the sand
We once strolled together on the beach, enjoying each other’s company and the scenic view.
One day in early spring
This lovely walk happened on a specific day during the early part of the spring season.
You held a piper in your hand
During our walk, you carried a bird in your hand that needed some care and attention.
To mend its broken wing
The piper you held had a broken wing, and you wanted to repair it to save the bird’s life.
Now I'll remember many a day
I’ll reminisce about the wonderful time we enjoyed together, grateful for the memories that linger in my mind.
And many a lonely mile
But now that you’re gone, I walk many dreary miles alone, hopelessly yearning for the joy we once shared.
The echo of a piper's song
The music of the piper’s song remains with me, leaving a lasting impression that mirrors the longing in my soul.
The shadow of a smile
The distant memory of your grin haunts me, soothing me like a gentle breeze, making the pain of your absence a little more bearable.
When you are gone
Now that you’ve left me all alone, I am forced to confront the bleak future that awaits me without you by my side.
Will color all my dreams
Your absence will envelop my dreams, imparting it with a shade of melancholy that only serves to worsen my loneliness.
And light the dawn
But hope springs eternal, and the thought of seeing you again one day helps light up the bleakness that encircles me like a dark cloud.
Look into my eyes
If you ever come back to me, please look deep into my eyes and see the unending love I have for you.
My love and see
If you look closer, you’ll realize the depth and sincerity of my feelings that go beyond mere words.
All the lovely things
I hope you’ll notice all the beautiful things about me, things only someone who truly knows and cherishes me can recognize.
You are to me
For you are so much more than just a person to me; you’re the embodiment of all that is lovely, cherished, and adored in my life.
Our wistful little star
We had high hopes and plans, like a small star with big aspirations, gazing at the sky in wonder.
Was far too high
But sadly, our dreams and aspirations were more potent than we could handle, and they remained out of reach.
A teardrop kissed your lips
I remember how I kissed your lips while you were shedding a few tears, my heart full of love and sympathy for you.
And so did I
I, too, was moved to tears at that moment, realizing the depth of my feelings for you.
Now when I remember spring
Whenever I think back on the past, especially about the spring season, it evokes memories of the love we shared.
All the joy that love can bring
The springtime also symbolizes the bliss and happiness we experienced together, despite the obstacles we faced.
I will be remembering
And for as long as I live, I’ll always cherish and recall the memories of our undying, unbridled love - the shadow of your smile.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Mandel, Paul Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind