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Tony Bennett Polishes 'San Francisco' Gem Singer Tony Bennett originally recorded "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in 1962, and has sung it at every performance since. We go inside the studio with Bennett as he re-records his signature song.
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Tony Bennett Polishes 'San Francisco' Gem

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Tony Bennett Polishes 'San Francisco' Gem

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Tony Bennett Polishes 'San Francisco' Gem

Heard on All Things Considered

John McDonough

Tony Bennett Polishes 'San Francisco' Gem

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Tony Bennett appears onstage earlier this month at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre during a show celebrating his 80th birthday. Vince Bucci/Getty Images hide caption

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Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Tony Bennett appears onstage earlier this month at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre during a show celebrating his 80th birthday.

Vince Bucci/Getty Images

'I Left My Heart' Redux

Listen to two versions of Tony Bennett's classic "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

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I Left My Heart in San Francisco (Duets version)

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On his new CD, Duets: An American Classic, Tony Bennett performs with a procession of younger performers, including the Dixie Chicks, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, Sting and George Michael.

But one track that he sings solo is "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," his signature tune.

Bennett, who turned 80 this year, originally recorded the song in 1962. He has sung it at every performance since then.

In the new version, Bennett and record producer Phil Ramone pted for old-fashioned simplicity: just Bennett and pianist Bill Charlap in a softly lit studio in Englewood, N.J.

During the recording session, Bennett gets his voice loose and his mind ready for the task — and works his musical magic.