Alert! Recycled memory about to re-ignite the passions of those whose hearts have been taken hostage by the charm and romance of San Francisco.We all know that Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco because he made no secret of it as he sang it out so beautifully for the first time at the Fairmont Hotel in 1961.
And before that? Was there one? Of course, and hence the battle over which it should be since San Francisco is hardly the kind of a city that would be without a song of its own. A song that would evoke visions of whatever makes San Francisco unique. And, so it seems, San Francisco, it seems, ended up with two official songs, both of which talk about coming home to San Francisco. Before Tony Bennett declared his love it was Jeanette McDonald in 1936 with San Franciscowho rang out our city’s welcoming nature.
San Francisco, never short on drama, managed to bubble up some heated discussion on which would be our song. Warren Henkel thought I Left My Heart in San Francisco was sappy and we should go back to Jeanette McDonalds's movie song. Herb Caen got into the fray with his own vote, and the debate apparently ended up in front of the Board of Supervisors. Hahahaha, always looking for a policial solution of some kind or other, a live broadcast came from City Hall with competing pianists to let people call in a vote for their favorite song. The Royal Society Jazz Band and the SF Gay Men’s Chorus sang the favorite, which was San Francisco.
And, poor Tony Bennett who was here as Mayor Feinstein’s guest to sing perhaps to defend his version, chose to stay in his hotel room rather than risk the booing. Were there more important issues? I would guess yes, but San Francisco is San Francisco and unpredictable as ever it was. Passions ran high over this issue. It was solved, and King Solomon couldn’t have done better. How is it playing out today?
Steven Short, never short on a feel for drama, a wonderful story-teller and a producer of KALW CrossCurrents, will, Tuesday, Valentine's Day, bring us the fun of this controversy about which one is, actually, our official song. We can look for Tony Bennett to be here this Tuesday, Valentine’s Day , to sing his (our) song at City Hall, marking 50 years since he first recorded I Left My Heart in San Francisco.
I did see on Facebook yesterday that it will go one step further and be a sing-along. You might want to be there if you can just in case you get the chance to croon aloud your own love of San Francisco.
The battle is over, but the excitement, panache and mystery remain. Listen for the details Tuesday, this Valentine’s day on CrossCurrents KALW 5 p.m. on your radio or live through your computer, and thank you, Steven Short, for taking us back to a bygone day where choice of a City’s song was a vital issue.
From me to you with love in the air,
Janet
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