Good Life
Tony Bennett & Billy Joel Lyrics
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Mm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel
You won't really fall in love for you can't take the chance
So please be honest with yourself, don't try to fake romance
It's the good life to be free and explore the unknown
Like the heartaches when you learn you must face them alone
Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why
The lyrics of Tony Bennett's "The Good Life" portray the stereotypical notion of a perfect life, one that is full of fun and free from any sadness. However, the song brings to light the irony of such an ideal life. The good life, as portrayed in the song, entails hiding one's true feelings and not taking the risk of falling in love. The line "You won't really fall in love for you can't take the chance" points out the fear of vulnerability and heartbreak that comes with falling in love. The song advises honesty and warns against faking romance.
The good life is also portrayed as a life that is free and boundless. However, in this condition of freedom, one is left to face heartaches and challenges alone. The song acknowledges that the good life is desirable, but also warns that it may not be what one expects. Finally, the lyrics advise to remember that true love remains even when one is trying to live the good life. The closing line "just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye" acknowledges that the good life is unattainable and that love is the only real source of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the good life, full of fun seems to be the ideal
The concept of living a glamorous and pleasurable life seems to be the epitome of perfection
Mm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel
Living a luxurious lifestyle allows you to conceal any negative emotions that you may be experiencing
You won't really fall in love for you can't take the chance
Avoiding the vulnerability of falling in love as it is viewed as a high risk endeavor
So please be honest with yourself, don't try to fake romance
For the sake of personal well-being, it is important to avoid dishonesty and shallow relationships
It's the good life to be free and explore the unknown
Living a life of luxury allows one to have the freedom and resources to explore new opportunities and experiences
Like the heartaches when you learn you must face them alone
However, there are still difficult moments to face, such as going through emotional pain and dealing with it alone
Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why
Just as a reminder, there is still someone who cares for you despite the challenges that life may present
Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye
It is time to let go of the fantasy and live a raw, genuine life
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, PROSADIS, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jack Reardon, Jean Broussolle, Alexandre Sacha Distel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MarkBlackburnWPG
TONY BENNETT / BILLY JOEL – The Good Life
It's been exactly 60 years since Tony Bennett recorded my favorite of his ballads from the 60s --THE GOOD LIFE. Like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett sometimes rescued, from certain oblivion, songs we might otherwise never have heard. Like this one, composed by two Frenchmen who never had another hit; given its sublime English lyric by one “Jack Reardon” who disappeared without a trace. In fact the Wiki entry for the song doesn't mention Jack's name until detailing Tony Bennett's various recordings:
"The Good Life" (originally "La Belle Vie" in French) is a song by Sacha Distel with French lyrics by Jean Broussolle, published in 1962. It was featured in the movie The Seven Deadly Sins.
The song is best known in the English-speaking world via a 1963 recording by Tony Bennett with English lyrics by Jack Reardon. In the US, it was a number 18 hit on the U.S. pop singles chart, and number 7 on the Middle-Road Singles chart.[4]
"The Good Life" became one of Bennett's staple songs, and was featured on four of his top-selling albums, including 1994's MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett and 2006's Duets: An American Classic, the latter featuring Billy Joel. Bennett also named his 1998 autobiography after the song. He continued to perform the song live and did so at his final concerts, at Radio City Music Hall, aged 95.
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Google for it and the first offering this day at YouTube is this one -- from “The Making of Duets” – hosted by the late producer extraordinaire, Phil Ramone, who left us a decade ago.
Among the comments, is a note from a dear friend of mine, Samuel Chell – a professional jazz pianist and retired professor of English at a college in Wisconsin. Under his Amazon reviewer pen name, Sam shared this insight:
Caponsacchi
2 years ago
Sometimes I have the impression that people hear this song but don't listen attentively enough to catch the profound irony of the lyric. It's not about celebrating the "good life": It's about kissing "the good life" goodbye. That life was a time of shallow, selfish living--characterized by Romantic love, which is, by nature, selfish, self-centered, pleasure loving, fulfilling the hedonistic need of the child. It falls in the the category of "Eros," far short of Caritas (friendship) or Agape (spiritual love). It's glorious song--one that is especially effective because it paints a vivid picture of those good ole playboy days that must be kissed goodbye for growth, maturation and a fuller self-realization.
Thanks for sharing Tony Bennett. Celebrated elsewhere this day (1/15/2023) [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
@geraldinem.8570
Gifted artists, talented voices....THANK YOU for making magic with your music. 2 legends...what a gift 🎙
@brakeduster
Tony was my Dad's idol and even loved to dress in the suits and ties like Tony does. Even just going to the shops, he'd look dapper. We played The Good Life at his funeral to send him out in style and that would have made him happy.
@ayshnafi2079
My dad was the same. Bespoke suits smart.
Always spoke of the ol days the good life
Tommorrow is my dad's funeral and I chose this song for him
Rest in eternal peace Dads
@brakeduster
@Aysh Nafi Rest In Peace. I'm sorry for your loss, friend.
@MarkBlackburnWPG
You conveyed so much -- in so few words. Concise, yet anecdotal My favorite comment here. Thanks for sharing BXS LifeGoesOn
@helena51troy
These two are a great match. They sound so much alike in tone and phrasing.
@1stand2ndtimearound67
What a classy GENTLEMAN 👏 I just LOVE the expression on his face when he sings with another artist. He is so giving, is truly amazing!
@Bob65001
We need more music like this. MUCH MORE! This is style! Music these days has lost it. It's not the same...
@mark1952able
You are sooooo Right!
@ziramarquez1248
O TIMBRE DE VOZ DO TONY BENNETT, É SIMPLSMENTE LINDOOO!!!!