I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap (Piano) Lyrics
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Peak chart position # 19 in 1962
Tony's signature song. Surprisingly, this song is not even close to being his biggest chart
success. He had a half-dozen other Top 20 hits that were initially more popular.
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome is of another day
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me
In "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," Tony Bennett croons about his love for the City by the Bay. He starts off by comparing other beautiful cities like Paris and Rome to the emptiness he feels while in Manhattan. However, despite the chilly morning fog, he is drawn to San Francisco, which he calls "my city by the Bay." He describes the hilly city and the little cable cars that climb halfway to the stars. Even though the air may be cold, he doesn't care because his love is in San Francisco, waiting for him on the hills above the blue and windy sea. When he returns to the city, the golden sun will shine for him and his heart will be whole again.
The lyrics of this song perfectly capture the feeling of yearning for home and the beauty of a city that has captured one's heart. It's a song that has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved classic. "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" has been covered by countless artists, including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Michael Bublé.
Line by Line Meaning
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay
Although Paris is beautiful, there is a sense of sadness and melancholy intertwined with its beauty
The glory that was Rome is of another day
Rome's magnificent past is no longer present in the current day
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I've been very lonely and ignored while living in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I'm returning to San Francisco, the city where I belong
High on a hill, it calls to me
San Francisco's scenic skyline draws me in with its allure and charm
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The iconic cable cars that reach halfway up the steep hills make San Francisco an enchanting place to be
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
Even though the morning fog can be cold and damp, it doesn't bother me because I am happy to be in San Francisco
My love waits there in San Francisco
The person I love is in San Francisco, which makes the city even more special to me
Above the blue and windy sea
San Francisco is located by the ocean, which gives it a unique and beautiful atmosphere
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Whenever I return to San Francisco, it feels like I am coming home to a place I truly belong
Your golden sun will shine for me
San Francisco's warm and inviting climate will always welcome me with open arms
Contributed by Leo E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wilfc77
How can this music be dying, it’s the best! I’m 17 years old and I love it just like my grandparents did I will listen to Tony, Dino, Frank and sammy forever more
todd crofts
It never left its ageless and timeless!
todd crofts
Its not dying listen to what's in your heart.
Stephen Hume
This music can’t die.Like red wine, it gets better as it gets older.
Just An Ordinary Girl 46
You got good taste. My dad loved Tony. Now look at Lady Gaga. It's coming back !
Christopher Collette
Bless you!!!
Carabina Carabina
Tony Bennett ,Criador do Hino a San Francisco .
Parabéns Tony Bennett.
Uma das Músicas Mais Linda !
Felicidades pra Ti .
frankiegraci1
God bless you sir!! Generations years from now will be listening ❤
Julião Correia Julião
I love this song... Grande música.
Aldo Wellichan
A new version I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Very good Mr. Tony Bennett. Eternally the love's town.