Moment Tony Bennett brought some lockdown joy to the world during COVID with global singalong of ‘I Left My Heart In San Francisco’

Moment Tony Bennett brought some lockdown joy to the world during COVID with global sing-along of ‘I Left My Heart In San Francisco’

The heartwarming moment that Tony Bennett brought some lockdown joy to the world during COVID with a global sing-along of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” has resurfaced after his death.

Iconic crooner Bennett passed away in his home city of New York on Friday at the age of 96 – just two weeks shy of his 97th birthday.

After a decades-long career collaborating with superstars from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, the eminent musician used his signature song to raise the spirits in April 2020, during the pandemic isolation period.

The music giant posted a video of him wearing a vintage black and orange San Francisco Giants jacket as he gathered people to sing his 1962 hit.

“I love you, San Francisco – let’s sing our song,” said Bennett, then 93 years old.

San Franciscans gathered on Saturday for a powerful moment of solidarity to join Tony Bennett in singing the Bay’s national anthem, I Left My Heart, in San Francisco. Bennett announced the sing-along on Twitter, encouraging residents to join in

Members of the San Francisco Fire Department have shared a video of members singing the chorus and paying tribute to frontline workers saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic

Members of the San Francisco Fire Department have shared a video of members singing the chorus and paying tribute to frontline workers saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic

“I’m so proud to see San Francisco come together and make a difference in this uncertain time.”

He encouraged people around the world to join the rendition and share a recording of their performance online.

Bay Area residents gathered for the moment of strong solidarity, which was also used to praise health care workers who had toiled on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.

A small crowd of people practicing social distancing also gathered in Union Square on Saturday, where jazz singer Mark Robinson sang the moving national anthem while wearing a mask, in a live-streamed rendition.

Bennett’s I Left My Heart in San Francisco was released in 1962 and has become the theme song of the city.

Others gathered in front of a statue of Bennett at the Fairmont Hotel, where he first sang the hit song in 1961.

The San Francisco Opera shared their moving rendition of the Bay Area theme song on a Zoom conference call shared on social media

The San Francisco Opera shared their moving rendition of the Bay Area theme song on a Zoom conference call shared on social media

Paul Torney, Regional Vice President of Fairmont Hotels, led hotel employees in singing in front of a statue of Tony Bennett in San Francisco.  Both he and the statue wore masks

Paul Torney, Regional Vice President of Fairmont Hotels, led hotel employees in singing in front of a statue of Tony Bennett in San Francisco. Both he and the statue wore masks

Jazz singer Mark Robinson sang Bennett's iconic 1960s tune that has become San Francisco's official theme song from Union Square.  A few people attended his performance while wearing masks and practicing social distancing

Jazz singer Mark Robinson sang Bennett’s iconic 1960s tune that has become San Francisco’s official theme song from Union Square. A few people attended his performance while wearing masks and practicing social distancing

People across the city recorded themselves broadcasting the chorus on social media using the hashtag #SingOutSF.

Members of the San Francisco Opera, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, members of the San Francisco Fire Department, and Sutter Health medics at CPMC Van Ness Hospital shared videos on social media singing along.