You Made Me Love You
Al Jolson & Bing Crosby Lyrics

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You made me love you
I didn't want to do it
I didn't want to do it
You made me want you
And all the time you knew it
I guess you always knew it

You made me happy sometimes

You made me glad
But there were times
You made me feel so bad

You made me cry for
I didn't want to tell you
I didn't want to tell you
I want some love that's true
Yes, I do, 'deed I do
You know I do

Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme what I cry for
You know you've got the brand of kisses
That I'd die for
You know you made me love you

You made me cry for
I didn't want to tell you
I didn't want to tell you
I want some love that's true
Yes, I do, 'deed I do
You know I do

Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme what I cry for
You know you've got the brand of kisses

That I'd die for
You know you made me love you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Al Jolson & Bing Crosby's song, You Made Me Love You, tell the story of someone who falls in love unexpectedly with a person who they didn't want to love in the first place. The lyrics express the struggle of being in love with someone despite their flaws, and the pain that comes with it. The singer also expresses their desire for a love that is true and genuine, unlike the love they feel for the person who made them love them.

The lyrics also touch on the power that the other person holds over the singer. The other person knew that they were being loved and took advantage of it. The singer was made happy and glad at times, but also made to feel bad and cry. It's a song of conflicting emotions and the struggle of being in love with someone who might not be the right choice.

In essence, the song is a lament of unrequited love. The singer is in love with someone who may not return their feelings, and they are expressing their pain, frustration, and longing for something real and authentic.

Line by Line Meaning

You made me love you
You caused me to fall in love with you

I didn't want to do it
I didn't intend to fall in love with you

You made me want you
You made me desire you

And all the time you knew it
You were aware of my feelings all along

I guess you always knew it
It's likely you knew all along

You made me happy sometimes
You brought joy into my life on occasion

You made me glad
You made me feel happy

But there were times
However, there were instances

You made me feel so bad
You made me feel upset

You made me cry for
You caused me to shed tears

I didn't want to tell you
I didn't want to reveal my emotions to you

I want some love that's true
I desire authentic love

Yes, I do, 'deed I do
I really do want it

You know I do
You're aware that I want it

Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme what I cry for
Please give me what I yearn for

You know you've got the brand of kisses
You know that your affectionate gestures are top-notch

That I'd die for
They are so meaningful to me that I would sacrifice a great deal for them

You know you made me love you
You are the reason I fell in love with you

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT M. MERKIN, COLIN ROMOFF, ROGER EDENS, JAMES V. JIMMY MONACO, JOSEPH MCCARTHY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Beautiful Dreamer2:28

02Rockabye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody2:52

03Bye Bye Baby1:28

04A Rainy Night in Rio3:09

05Carolina in the Morning1:15

06Oh, Susanna1:29

07In the Evening By the Moonlight / Hear Dem Bells1:58

08California, Here I Come (2)1:53

09Yaaka Hula, Hickey Dula1:57

10A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight0:44

11When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin' Along1:29

12The Best Things in Life Are Free2:16

13Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee1:18

14Waitin' for the Robert, E. Lee (Version 2)1:44

15April Showers1:14

16The Anniversary Song2:28

17Early Days (Feat. Always)4:31

18The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else2:15

19You Made Me Love You1:14

PT1M14S

Al Jolson & Bing Crosby

20Ma Blushin' Rosie2:20

21The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else (Version 2)1:50

22Alabamy Bound1:41

23All by Myself2:29

24Back in Your Own Backyard2:13

25Alexander's Ragtime Band2:45

26Ma Blushin' Rosie (Version 2)2:22

27Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning0:58

28Waitin' For The Robert E. Lee (Version 3)1:52

29Sunbonnet Sue1:16

30Whispering2:20

31I Only Have Eyes for You (Version 2)1:32

32Carolina in the Morning1:15

33Gershwin Medley5:36

34Lullaby of Broadway2:04

35My Old Kentucky Home2:45

36Who Paid the Rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle?2:08

37Baby Face1:29

38Ma Blushin' Rosie (Version 3)2:27

39My Blue Heaven1:38

40Easter Parade1:44

41A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody1:18

42Back In Your Own Backyard (Version 2)1:19

43Avalon1:44

44All By Myself (Version 2)1:34

45Alabamy Bound (Version 2)0:56

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Comments from YouTube:

@carolevans5285

2y↑16

When I was a kid back in the 60s I was knocked out by this man's vocie. ❤️💯❤️

@lorimav

1y↑4

Born in 1959 here. My father had a Jolson album or two I liked to borrow. I remember singing along "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning" or " when the red red robin goes bob bob bobbin along." Those must have been my favorites as a little kid. I came to this song looking for a the song my grandmother used to hold me and sing to me. I didn't realize it was also Al Jolson.

@jasminnemcdonald94A

1y↑8

This man has talent. No matter how he looked. He's got a voice.

@andywood5977

7y↑19

My dad sadly died on 22nd of sept, 2017 and this song was a song he loved. So im having a jazz band play all the old songs and give him a great send off. I love you dad xxxxxxx

@marilyntape9050

5y↑1

Andy Wood I love Al and this song so much👍🇦🇺💜

@Caine462

26w

Wow, my mother and father’s 10th anniversary was on that exact day.

@benjijack22

13w↑1

STILL MAGIC IN JAN 2024 NEVER BE TOPPED!! THAT LIP SYNC AMAZING!!

@marilyntape9050

5y↑6

I sing this in the kitchen while cleaning up😃💜🇦🇺

@anthonywilliams9178

5y↑10

great performance

@JohnSmith-zw8vp

16w↑1

Believe it or not, behind the scenes, this dude was DECADES ahead of the curve in terms of civil rights.

@Singingkid

7y↑10

Beautifully done! I've just shared this on my Facebook page. Thank you so much for your amazing work!

@GreatPerformers1

7y↑2

Thanks "singing Kid" Here's a "Cheer for Uncle Sammy"!

@vincentdefeo5917

4y↑4

And what a beautiful way too

@RobbGF

3y↑1

The Jolson Story (1946) - Larry Parks & Evelyn Keyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLPO3GV-A2s&list=PLA9dyopf8noPL_B2_XKbLksOQMDYe7GUl&index=16

@mariolucero8559

1y↑1

AL JOLSON,CON SU VOZ INCONFUNDIBLE. ACTUÓ EN LA PRIMERA PELÍCULA SONORA " EL CANTOR DE JAZZ" SE CARACTERIZABA ÉL MISMO EN SUS ACTUACIONES.TALENTOS QUÉ PERDURAN A TRAVÉS DE LOS TIEMPOS.

@toyman9642

6y↑4

To Natalie and Robert...this is the way it was.

@MargaretBrowne-zy9el

True i just wanted a friend to i trusted wrong people got lead into temltation

@williaml1665

20w↑1

Al Jolson was not racist he gave many jobs to Black performers

@mica412

3y↑17

What I fail to understand and would love for someone to explain to me is if people are indeed offended by this then why do they click on the video in the first instance? Surely, the thumbnail alone tells you what to expect. Unless of course they are clicking on it simply to be offended??

@margaretthomas8899

3y↑3

If in these clips from 1946 1949 movies they find anything offensive in them they want it that way, or a brainwashed into it!!!

@politereminder6284

3y↑4

I clicked because I was curious to know why they were okay with uploading this as is.🤔

It is a beautiful rendition of the song, but that doesn't mean the visuals are not disturbing.

They had so many options. He has lots of non-blackface performances. They would have cut out the visuals and put up a card. They could have added a disclaimer, but they chose this🤦

@margaretthomas8899

3y↑1

@@politereminder6284 You got one thing right, it IS a beautiful rendition of the song! All the rest you know, or believe?

@politereminder6284

3y↑2

@@margaretthomas8899 I KNOW that he has non blackface performaces– beautiful ones.
I KNOW that these images are disturbing.
I KNOW that the uploader had options.

@margaretthomas8899

@@politereminder6284 Yes there is plenty of non black face performances, on film, by himself, or Larry Parks. Electric, Dynamic, Soulful, Funny, sad, romantic etc etc etc, and ones in blackface DITTO! You know the uploader? You know these images are disturbing? To whom are you referring? You? or somebody's else?

8 More Replies...

@lennon1252

I wish people would stop defending Al Jolson's performing in black face and saying he wasn't a racist and all this other crap. Who cares if someone is offended by this. If they don't like it, don't watch it.
Jolson was the world's greatest entertainer and had the best voice ever! End of discussion!
Oh and btw, this is not even Al Jolson, it's Larry Parks an actor lip syncing to the real voice of A.J.

@stephanieroberts1157

Aside from the PC aspect, this song is just beautiful... also go check out Judy Garland's version.

@dizocilpine

2y↑3

Ahh, simpler times.

@analyzeit6882

6y↑5

"Asa isn't Asa anymore?"

@-Only.Facts-

49w↑4

This guy is one of the best black singers

@williaml1665

20w

Al Jolson was not Black that was a holdover from vaudeville

@conniebarnes9274

5y↑14

When I was in high school, back in the 1960's, and just out of school, our community did a minstrel once a year using black face end-men. On the last one, where they were doing black face, the NAACP came to our town to watch our show. From that day forward, that never happened again. They still used end men but not in black face. Times have changed, I believe, for the better. Today, it makes me cringe. So unacceptable.

@markmooroolbark252

4y↑8

I know African Americans who love Jolson's performances in black face. I hope you cringe when you see men in drag singing on stage. Jolson was a great supporter and friend of the African American community. Stop virtue signaling, it makes me cringe.

@scienz

4y↑2

So interesting that you were able to witness and experience that

@margaretthomas8899

4y↑1

See my comment above.

@urbanyouths

So, just like Mohammod who can't be depicted. Idol worshipping.

@SteffiReitsch

15w↑1

Why did they always leave a big area around the mouth white when they were in black face?

@swatchdog9094

10w

It’s the stereotype that black people have big lips

@SteffiReitsch

10w↑1

@@swatchdog9094 Well, a lot of them do and I like it. I think it's sexy. .

@williamstolley2165

2y↑4

I think it's time that YouTube remove all the comments that are associated with this video. I didn't read one comment, and I read all 80, that was a constructive one. Al Jolson was a performer who exploited the black look for his benefit. It was racist then and it's racist today.

@somethinggrand144

Your people in the comment section have always been in consent to this wickedness silly

You new to life I guess your one of the empathic ones lol

@tellcolombo8549

You can think that way, but if you see the movies of the real Jolson .... Why did he wanted to sing in and out of blackface with black people? And why he treated the band lider Cab Calloway as an equal and reclaim white directors respect to him in one of his movies, The Singing Kid? And even if he was racist .... Why we can't recognize he's singing talent? And the last question: WHY youtube has to delete all the comments ("wrongs" or "rights") because some people don't agree with YOU? Yes, people on line can be agressive, but delete all who don't think like you it's also stupid.

@chestercopperpot1325

Monkey's

@silencemeviolateme6076

21w

Censorship helps how?

@margaretthomas8899

14w

You come to all your conclusions by personal experience/or just the need of being accepted now?

@tomgillo9205

1y↑1

I love this black man..

@jonahabel6244

19w

He isn’t black

@atryan1125

Huh?

@marksisto900

52w

Rumor has It, Al Jolson wore blackface, They may try to purge him from history. Someone might be offended.

@robertvelez8485

6y↑5

I would love to know how black people feel about watching this on youtube?

@Jetli390

6y↑11

Uncomfortable

@filmicreviews3270

5y↑8

After knowing the background details about Al and minstrel shows, I feel okay about it, and I’m glad it’s not censored.

@mica412

3y↑1

Unfortunately you would have to ask the white people to answer for them!

@pronemanoldbutyoung5548

Black people usually are clever enough to understand the historical context. Only white privileged people are offended by this, for the reason that they want to feel like they're as mother Teresa.

@arletteurbancic8875

I cannot speak for them, but it is clear that Al Jolson felt a deep connection with them and their music, and appears he performed it with respect. Perhaps, as a Jewish boy whose family fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe, and who sang Jewish liturgical music, he could identify with the struggles of African Americans and the pathos in their music.

3 More Replies...

@HowieDewitt535

47w↑1

Bro why is he painted black

@joecampos5624

34w

They did that a long time ago it was call black face i believe the 30s

@MargaretBrowne-zy9el

Lol i am sorry to the jews they had to suffer because of it as im sorry to my native american children and my children in slavery korea china dooms day i am truly sorry they punished you id rather have taken it myself me and curtis would trade places with you all jamie bulger maddy mc can saragh payne emmanuella we did not want any one to geth hurt we were waiting to all missions were accomplished to get here to help every one

@Starman356

24w↑1

I don't believe this is racist. More of a compliment to black people's musical talent.

@chigirl9673

6y↑18

This makes me ashamed i played this at school. blackface has never affected me in such a way. implying this is a song i love so much. Wow, this is sad.

Yes , I'm African. I'm Nigerian. I'm Black. Anyways, this is super old. and i guess it was mainstream to do this.

@robertlouisburns

4y↑1

Funny thing is, in 50 years when people play parts set in 1990's and up and they show rap, people will think that is racist.

@alexhorn8772

4y↑7

Al jolson actually advocated for black performers in broadway and at his funeral a substantial amount of the people there were black because he gave white audiences a view into black culture so they decided to pay their respects

@politereminder6284

3y↑2

I can't believe people are okay with this😳. He's a great performer, but still...those "lips" 😅😅😅

@nemosum

1y↑1

I'm very disturbed by the blackface. No matter the history behind Jolson's deeds and character. Brrr....

@toddforhetz

47w↑1

counselors, are standing by.....

@silencemeviolateme6076

21w

Disturbed?

@margaretthomas8899

4y↑8

I cannot be certain, I don't know of any consensus or vote been done on it, but I would say all those who don't like Jolson and/ or the blackface thing are all people that are FRIGHTENED they won't be accepted in modern contemporary society if they do indicate any likeness or understanding to it. SIMPLE AS THAT!

@RobbGF

3y↑1

The Jolson Story (1946) - Larry Parks & Evelyn Keyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLPO3GV-A2s&list=PLA9dyopf8noPL_B2_XKbLksOQMDYe7GUl&index=16

@shill1444

3y↑5

Um... No. It's not as simple as that. Blackface is a stain on the entertainment industry. People are stupid now and we were all a little worst back then. The work is fantastic, the song is too but it's ruined by the image.

@RobbGF

3y↑7

There is never a reason to do black face.

@margaretthomas8899

3y↑1

@@RobbGF Is there a reason to do anything? Like for example Kiss make up, or wierd costumes, or glasses liberache. Elton John, and others did, or Natives in their country head dresses etc etc. YES Blackface is History! it is controversal, You can say that about many things! It is not everybodys Thing, like others who did things, or used costume make up etc that is not everybody's cup of tea also, Only different that which is more contemporary or whom does it, is more PROTECTED because it means PROFIT! Dead people cannot put their hands in their pocket! Blackface may never had been the total right thing? That is depending on the individual, the circumstances and the situation of how those involved with it some way experienced it? WE cannot possibly know what that was 100 odd years after the event. Yet for 150 years or so it is said to have been the most profitable, enjoyable entertainment in American Entertainment providing employment for many of different races.

@margaretthomas8899

@@shill1444 When you refer to people are stupid now, and were back then, whom do you exactly mean, and exactly when please?

9 More Replies...

@jehrolim705

5y↑8

I've heard this song played by Patsy Cline and just loved it.
Disappointed with the black face, terrible

@robertlouisburns

4y↑3

White people wouldn't pay black people to entertain. Jolson eased their appearance into the mainstream. Check his history.

@markmooroolbark252

4y↑6

Oh stop it... please. I'm sure Jolson has done more for the African American community than you will ever achieve.

@jonnifae6831

he looks like cry baby sterling.

@marksisto900

52w

Sounds unconsensual.

@nataliewilliams4863

7y↑19

Wow this is racist. How disappointing.

@latebloomer177

7y↑3

natalie williams Right..

@hraefn1821

6y↑22

Research the man actually...he was considered a friend of the African American community. This character he played was a subversion of the classic "negro" stereotype at the time. In a way he was parodying those who wore blackface for overtly racist purposes. This character was ALWAYS shown as being smarter than the white people he associated with and often outsmarting them in a bugs bunny-like fashion. Please do your research before commenting. Thank you.

@essexpeter6116

6y↑14

There is some rubbish written about Jolson. It was a style and a different era which is hard to judge in the 21C. Jolson was Jewish so I can imagine he would not have intentionally been racist. Jolson did not portray the black character as dull witted or slow.
There was a huge amount of racism, that we know, including segregated bands and different doors but enjoy Jolson for what he was - an entertainer. If you don't like don't watch press the off button.

@nickgreatpwrful5754

6y↑7

What do you expect from a movie made in 1946???? You can never watch old movies through a 21st century lens. Blackface and minstrel shows were once very respected and both white and black actors and singers did them. But that was just how it was then. Our social standards have drastically changed since then.

@weeozzy666

6y↑11

natalie williams it was a different time. Al jolson introduced another race of people music into a white world. How is that racist

12 More Replies...

@vanilittlestar6357

3y↑1

That's one of the most racist things that used to appear in show business in the forties. No one even noticed how offensive that is to black people.

@mica412

3y↑6

Yes it's very racist singing about people in love and Mammy love. Let's all sing about gagsters knifing on another and drug dealing. Would that be better for you??

@londonciel

@@mica412 hope you realize how dumb you sound. the song isn’t racist, it’s the fact that he had, you know? blackface on. c’mon be better hun.

@nattaylor205

5y↑3

Wtf BLACKFACE!!!! SHAME ON HIM I WAS JUST ABOUT TO SAMPLE THIS FREAK

@hiphoph3ctorbeats-freeinst90

3y↑8

Do your history mate, he supported the black community and brought black music into what would be seen as white only. Dont be fooled by the method, his funeral had an overwhelming prescence from the black community, people who knew what he did. Easy to misinterpet this one, but I wouls most deffo still sample this dude. His music is made for samples! Ill throw my version up soon, look forward to hearing yours

@woodstock6957

@@hiphoph3ctorbeats-freeinst90 well it’s black face and that equals racism in white performers marking black people by using that face paint I am kind of found this video has a beautiful song but the black face I just couldn’t take my eyes off it it’s a great song but that’s the only problem so you have to understand why they made this comment