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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 21, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Monday, September 21, 2015 is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” was written in 1953 by Douglass Cross (lyrics) and George Cory (music). 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

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was recorded at the famed CBS 30th Street Studio on January 23, 1962. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning. It was released on the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco in June 1962. The song won the Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

Listen to (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from iTunes.

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Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: 1962, Douglass Cross, George Cory, Marty Manning, Ralph Sharon

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