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.
They Can't Take That Away from Me
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
We may never never meet again, on that bumpy road to love
But I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced until three
The way you changed my life
No, no they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me
We may never never meet again, on that bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced until three
The way you changed my life
No, no they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away
No, they can't take that away
No, they can't take that away from me
The lyrics to Tony Bennett’s “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” describe the memories and experiences that cannot be forgotten or erased, even if the physical presence of a loved one is gone. Throughout the song, the singer lists ways in which they remember and cherish the quirks and habits of their partner, such as the way they wear their hat or sip their tea. These memories bring joy and a sense of intimacy to the singer, who acknowledges that although they may never meet again on their “bumpy road to love,” they will always keep the memory of their love alive.
The lyrics also highlight the transformative power of love, as the singer acknowledges that their partner has changed their life in significant ways. The song’s tender melody and emotive vocals convey a deep sense of longing and nostalgia, inviting the listener to reflect on the significance of memories and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
The way you wear your hat
I love the bouncy way you wear that hat, it's unique and special to you.
The way you sip your tea
I love how you take your time and enjoy your tea, it shows me your thoughtful and patient nature.
The memory of all that
All the moments we've shared are special to me, and I'll always cherish those memories.
No, no they can't take that away from me
Those memories are mine forever, and no one can ever take them away.
The way your smile just beams
Your smile is infectious, and it brightens up my entire day.
The way you sing off key
Even though you don't have a perfect voice, I love when you sing, because it shows me how confident you are in yourself.
The way you haunt my dreams
Even when you're not here, I still think about you constantly, and dream about being with you.
We may never never meet again, on that bumpy road to love
Our journey together may be uncertain, chaotic, and filled with obstacles, but I'm willing to take that risk.
But I'll always, always keep the memory of
Regardless of what happens in the future, I'll always hold onto the memories we've created together.
The way you hold your knife
The way you hold your knife while you're eating is one of your quirks that I find endearing, it shows me how comfortable you are around me.
The way we danced until three
Dancing with you is one of my favorite memories, and I hope to create more moments like that in the future.
The way you changed my life
Being with you has transformed me in so many ways, and I'm grateful for the impact you've had on me.
No, they can't take that away from me
Because your presence in my life has been so profound, no one can take away the impact you've had on me.
No, they can't take that away
My memories of you and our moments together are safe and sound, and no one can take them away from me.
No, they can't take that away from me
These memories and feelings are mine forever, and nothing can ever change that.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind