Until The Real Thing Comes Along
Accompanied By Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra; Billie Holiday Lyrics


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I'd wait for you
I'd slave for you
I'd be a beggar or a knave for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

I'd gladly move
The earth for you
To prove my love, dear
And its worth for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along.

With all the words, dear, at my command
I just can't make you understand
I'll always love you darling
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?

I'd lie for you
I'd sigh for you
I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

With all the words, dear, at my command
I just can't make you understand
I'll always love you baby
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?

I'd lie for you
I'd cry for you
I'd lay my body down and die tor you




If that isn't love, it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

Overall Meaning

The song "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" is a ballad performed by Billie Holiday accompanied by Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra. The lyrics express a deep and unwavering love for someone, and a willingness to do anything to prove that love. Holiday sings of waiting, slaving, and even begging for her beloved, all in the hopes of showing the depth of her devotion. She notes that, until she has the opportunity to show her love in a more substantial way, she will continue to do all of these things to prove it.


The lyrics capture the intensity and frustration of a love that is not yet fully realized. Despite the singer's intense feelings, she acknowledges that if this kind of love is not enough for now, she will have to accept that fact until the "real thing" comes along. The song's emotional weight is amplified by Holiday's powerful, soulful vocals, which convey the heartache and longing of the lyrics.


Overall, "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" is a poignant expression of the complexities of love, and an affirmation of the lengths to which one is capable of going to prove it. It is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences year after year.


Line by Line Meaning

I'd wait for you
I would patiently wait for you


I'd slave for you
I would work tirelessly for you


I'd be a beggar or a knave for you
I would humble myself and do anything for you


If that isn't love, it will have to do
Even though these things may not be love, I'm willing to do them until I find the real thing


I'd gladly move The earth for you
I would do anything to please you, even if it means moving mountains


To prove my love, dear And its worth for you
I want to show you how much you mean to me and how valuable your love is


With all the words, dear, at my command I just can't make you understand
Even though I have the ability to express myself, I cannot make you comprehend how strongly I feel


I'll always love you darling Come what may My heart is yours What more can I say?
I will love you through any obstacle or hardship, my heart belongs to you, and words cannot express it enough


I'd lie for you
I would deceive others to protect you


I'd sigh for you
I would long and deeply yearn for you


I'd tear the stars down from the sky for you
I would go to great lengths to make your dreams come true


I'd cry for you
I would weep and shed tears for you


I'd lay my body down and die for you
I would sacrifice my life for you


If that isn't love, it will have to do
Even though these things may not be love, I'm willing to do them until I find the real thing




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alberta Nichols, L.E. Freeman, Mann Holiner, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Real Poetry

Maaaaaaan, something about her voice will always remain timeless. Beautiful. Raw organic voice.

eguirald

A soulful, timeless voice: the one and only Billie!

SusnaSongbird

YES ♥️♥️♥️ My absolute fave!

QueenDiva2147

Yes I have been listening to this song for 40 years and I still feel the same about it when I fell in love with it as little girl..I love Billie Holiday so much..She is my therapy in life!! Love Lady Day!!

MortenBoHansen

Love BIllie..she's so tender and mild! So deep but loving! Billie is all jazz voice! Just feel how deep she sings into you! Amazing billie! I love you!

rose sulla

This song was going round and round in my head till I had to play it. Sing it Billie for me!💕. My sister used to sing it over and over until I had to love it...back in the 1940’s. Swoon!!!

Dr. Daniel Davidson, DMD

What a great rendition of this song. We love you, Lady Day

Ziola Bee

"If that isn't love it will have to do...until the real thing comes along" <3 love it

Shane Wright

There are two kinds of jazz singers - those who are Billy Holiday and those who are not. Those who are not divide into two categories also - those who came after Billy Holiday and who had to spend their careers being compared (mostly unfavourably, with exceptions like Sarah Vaughan) and those who had gone before her who at least had the crumb of consolation that they may in someway influenced her. No one ever, ever read a lyric like Billie Holiday and knew exactly how to communicate that meaning. It may not be what we read in the lyric, it was always what Holiday read and felt.

monica bella

🌻

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