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.
When I Fall in Love
Tony Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I'll never, never give my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you
The lyrics of Tony Bennett’s “When I Fall in Love” are an open expression of the singer’s desire to find a love that is lasting and genuine. He believes that love, when discovered, should be eternal in nature and that he will never fall in love as long as there is any hint of doubt. The setting of the song is in a world that is characterized by restlessness and uncertainty. In such a world, it is easy for love to end before it even begins.
The singer notes how many people are enamored by moonlight kisses, but the warmth of the sun appears to cool these brief moments of passion. In essence, the song depicts a yearning for a love that is deep, passionate, and rooted in trust. The lyrics reveal that the singer will only give himself completely when he is certain that the other person feels the same way. He asserts that only then can he truly fall in love.
The song’s lyrics are timeless and universal. They embody the hopes and desires of millions of people around the world who dream of finding lasting love. Tony Bennett captures this essence perfectly with his poignant delivery of the lyrics, which are set against a smooth and soothing melody. “When I Fall in Love” inspires listeners to believe that true love can be found and that it endures beyond the fleeting nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
When I fall in love it will be forever
My love is not fleeting; I am uninterested in temporary affection
Or I'll never fall in love
If my affections are not genuine, I will not invest in a relationship
In a restless world like this is
In a constantly changing and chaotic world
Love is ended before it's begun
Relationships often fail before they even have a chance to develop
And too many moonlight kisses
Casual romantic encounters that lack emotional depth
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
These encounters may seem promising in the moment but ultimately fade away
When I give my heart it will be completely
When I commit to a relationship, I will do so wholeheartedly
Or I'll never give my heart
If I cannot fully invest myself in a relationship, I will not participate
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
I will only fully commit to a relationship when I am confident the other person reciprocates my feelings
Is when I fall in love with you.
Genuine mutual affection is the foundation of a meaningful and lasting relationship
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind