It Had To Be You
Al Martino Lyrics


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Why do I do just as you say?
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I try to forget?

It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
Kept on saying I had to wait
I saw them all
Just couldn't fall till we met

It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me be blue
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you

Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill




With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from a classic love song by Al Martino called "It Had to Be You." The song is a romantic tribute to the idea of fate and destiny bringing two people together in love. The lyrics express the singer's subservience to their lover's wishes, asking why they always have to give in and try to forget their own desires. But then, the notion of fate is introduced, suggesting that something beyond their control is responsible for their meeting and falling in love. This idea is bolstered by the line "It must have been that something lovers call 'Fate,'" implying that there is a force greater than themselves that is responsible for their relationship. The rest of the lyrics express the singer's love for their partner, highlighting their faults but still loving them despite these imperfections. The song concludes by affirming that the singer's partner is their perfect match, the one person who could make them "be true" and "be blue" and even enjoy it.


Interestingly, "It Had to Be You" has a somewhat convoluted history with several different claimants to its authorship. The song was originally written in 1924 by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn and was a hit for Jones' band. However, over the years, several other songwriters have also claimed credit for writing the song, including composer Victor Young and lyricist Lorenz Hart. In addition, the song has been covered by countless artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., and Rod Stewart.


Line by Line Meaning

Why do I do just as you say?
I follow your commands without any objections.


Why must I just give you your way?
I always let you have your way with me and make all the decisions.


Why do I sigh?
I can't help but let out a deep sigh when I think about you.


Why do I try to forget?
I try to forget you, but it seems impossible.


It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
The reason for us being together can only be explained as fate or destiny.


Kept on saying I had to wait
I had to be patient and persistent in waiting for the right person.


I saw them all
I encountered many other people, but none of them captured my heart like you did.


Just couldn't fall till we met
I was unable to fall in love until the moment we met.


It had to be you, it had to be you
You were the only one who could make me feel this way, it couldn't have been anyone else.


I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
I spent a long time searching for the right person, and then I finally found you.


Could make me be true, could make me be blue
You have the power to make me honest and also make me feel sad at times.


And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
I find joy in being sad when I think of you because it means that I have you in my life.


Some others I've seen might never be mean
Other people may not treat me poorly or be unkind, but they wouldn't be right for me like you are.


Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
Other people may not be argumentative or bossy, but they still wouldn't be a good match for me.


For nobody else gave me a thrill
No one else has ever made me feel as happy and excited as you do.


With all your faults, I love you still
Despite your imperfections, I love you just the way you are.


It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
You are unique and special, and that's why it had to be you that I fell in love with.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Isham Jones, Gus Kahn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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