1) Jerry Butler, Jr. (born December 8, 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi) is an American soul singer also known as "The Ice Man" because of his cool demeanour while singing often intensely emotional lyrics.
Butler was dubbed the "Iceman" by a Philadelphia disc jockey while performing in a Philadelphia theater. However, Butler achieved what eluded many earlier Doo Wop groups during the 1950s and 1960s — longevity. Read Full BioThere are multiple artists called Jerry Butler:
1) Jerry Butler, Jr. (born December 8, 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi) is an American soul singer also known as "The Ice Man" because of his cool demeanour while singing often intensely emotional lyrics.
Butler was dubbed the "Iceman" by a Philadelphia disc jockey while performing in a Philadelphia theater. However, Butler achieved what eluded many earlier Doo Wop groups during the 1950s and 1960s — longevity. Butler’s solo career had a string of hits, including "He Will Break Your Heart," "Moon River," "Make It Easy On Yourself," "Let It Be Me" (the Everly Brothers classic re-done as a duet with Betty Everett), "Brand New Me," "Ain’t Understanding Mellow," (duet with Brenda Lee Eager), and "Never Gonna Give You Up," followed by two hugely successful albums The Iceman Cometh in 1968 and Ice On Ice in 1970. The Iceman Cometh garnered Butler three Grammy nominations. Jerry Butler further made recordings for Philadelphia International Records in the 80's. His most noted song for the label was "Cooling Out"
For Your Precious Love
Jerry Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Means more to me
Than any love could ever be
For when I wanted you
I was so lonely and so blue
For that's what love will do
And darling, I'm
(I'm so surprised)
Oh, when I first realized
(I realized)
That a-you were fooling me
And darling
(Whoa-ooh)
They say that our love won't grow
But I just wanna tell them
(Ooo-ooo-ooo)
That they don't know-oh-ho
For as long
As you're in love with me
Our love will grow wider
Deeper than any sea
And of all the things that I want
In this whole wide world
Is just for you to say
That you'll be my girl
And woo-ooo-ooo
(Wanting you)
Wanting you
(Oh-ooh, I'm lonely and blue)
I'm so-whoa, lonely
(That's what love will do)
~
In "For Your Precious Love," Jerry Butler sings about the significance of love and the impact of his beloved's affection on his life. He compares their love to any other kind, emphasizing that it is unique and invaluable to him. The first verse describes how he felt especially lonely and down when he didn't have her in his life, which was what made him realize how important her love was to him. He then goes on to acknowledge that he was initially fooled by her, but he's overjoyed at the realization that they share a powerful connection that will continue to grow and deepen for as long as they are together.
The second verse talks about how others may doubt their love and whether it will last, but they shouldn't. He believes that their bond is strong enough to withstand anything and will only continue to grow. He wants her to be his girl above anything else in the world, as their love is what brings him the most happiness. The chorus repeats the feeling of loneliness and yearning that he experienced before their relationship and how it was only fulfilled by her love.
Overall, "For Your Precious Love" is a powerful love ballad that speaks to the importance of true love in one's life. Butler communicates how much his beloved means to him, and the song's melody reinforces the message of just how valuable having someone to love can be.
Line by Line Meaning
Your precious love
The love that you have for me is extremely valuable
Means more to me
It holds a greater importance to me
Than any love could ever be
It exceeds the love that anyone could give me
For when I wanted you
When I longed for your companionship
I was so lonely and so blue
I felt extremely alone and sad without you
For that's what love will do
That's the effect love had on me
And darling, I'm
My love
(I'm so surprised)
(It was a shock to me)
Oh, when I first realized
The moment I came to know
(I realized)
(I became aware)
That a-you were fooling me
You were deceiving me
And darling
My love
(Whoa-ooh)
(Wow)
They say that our love won't grow
Others have said our love will not expand
But I just wanna tell them
I just want to inform them
(Ooo-ooo-ooo)
(Oh yeah)
That they don't know-oh-ho
They are unaware of what they say
For as long
As much time as
As you're in love with me
As long as you still love me
Our love will grow wider
Our love will expand and broaden
Deeper than any sea
It will become more profound than the ocean
And of all the things that I want
Out of everything I desire
In this whole wide world
In the entirety of the world
Is just for you to say
All I request from you is
That you'll be my girl
That you will be my partner
And woo-ooo-ooo
And I, oh
(Wanting you)
(Craving your love)
Wanting you
Yearning for you
(Oh-ooh, I'm lonely and blue)
(Oh, I feel lonely and sad)
I'm so-whoa, lonely
I am extremely alone
(That's what love will do)
(That is how love can make me feel)
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Brooks, Jerry Butler, Richard Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James McDowell
Don’t know how anybody could give Jerry Butler a thumbs down.
Sonya Ballard
Someone who listens to the music they are playing now🙄
Navigator 1
@Adaywithkesandimarie they are mundanes
Derrick Bridges
Music novus, is why!!
Carol Alexander
Instill
Carol Alexander
They obviously don't appreciate good music and lyrics and someone, as only Jerry Butler can, who is able to install them in your very soul.
janet brown
Jerry Butler OWNED this song ! Nobody could ever sing it like he did..ever !
Elizabeth M
Hang it up Elvis! You got nothing on Jerry butler .
amsend
Sorry but I have to disagree. Ottis Redding poured so much heart into it. Not disregarding the the great performance from Jerry Butler but the Redding version was perhaps the most Soulful romantic song ever
John Puffer
you are absolutely right, janet brown. I was 20 years old in '58 and driving from Houston to San Antonio to see my girl friend when I first heard Jerry Butler sing this beautiful song. As I remember Ed Townsend recorded "FOR YOUR LOVE" that same year. Both topped the charts. I celebrated my 61st anniversary this year with that lovely girl from San Antonio. Fond memories.