If you are a Tony Bennett fan, there are few things better in middle age than listening to a medley of his hits, which has to include “I Left My Heart in San Francisco!”

He recently performed at the Neal Blaisdell concert hall and his performance was spectacular. At the young age of 87, he belted out the first song he recorded in 1932, and next Charlie Chaplin’s, “Smile.” He followed with a medley of his favorite hits that caused the crowd to clap and cheer and ended with a 10-minute standing ovation.

Bennett performed for about 90 minutes. A duet with his daughter was a real crowd pleaser. He danced and twirled, didn’t miss a note, word or beat. He talked a bit about an upcoming new album with Lady Gaga and told the crowd to please go out and buy it because he needs the money. He laughed and blew kisses to crowd and told his adoring fans how much he loved them.

As he sang a favorite, “For Once In My Life,” I changed the lyrics to match my Medicare-centric mindset.

This is the tune I was hearing;

For once in my life, I have Medicare Advantage,

Something I’ve needed so long,

For once unafraid, I can go where life leads me

And I know my Medicare plan will keep me strong.

For once I can say this is my Medicare, you can’t take it.

As long as I keep up my Part B payments, I can make it.

For once in my life,

I have everything in the world that I need.

___________________________

Martha Khlopin hosts the popular weekly radio program “Medicare Moment with Martha — The World of Medicare” sponsored by AlohaCare. It airs on KHNR-690AM on Saturdays from 11–11:30 a.m. and on KGU-99.5FM on Sundays from 10–10:30 a.m. For info, call (808) 973-0754, mkhlopin@alohacare.org.