The song of the day for Thursday, March 19, 2026, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”
About This Song
“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross.
This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience.
After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” on January 23, 1962, which was released as a single. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. The song was added to the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, which was released in June 1962.
Tony Bennett won two Grammy Awards at the 5th Annual Grammy Awards for “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”
- Record Of The Year
- Best Solo Performance, Male
“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available on Apple Music.
Dear Mr. Bennett
Tony Bennett sang “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” at every concert of his I attended. I’m 99% sure he sang it at every concert he gave after winning the record of the year Grammy Award.
The John Pizzarelli Trio (Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Michael Karn on bass, and Isaiah J. Thompson on piano) recorded “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” for Dear Mr. Bennett, released in March 2026.
Dear Mr. Bennett is available for purchase on CD and vinyl at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Records, and other record stores. It is also available on most popular streaming services.
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