She is the daughte… Read Full Bio ↴Alice Russell (b. 1975) is a British soul singer.
She is the daughter of an organist, and grew up in Framlingham in Suffolk. At the age of nine, following in her father's and sisters' musical footsteps, Russell began taking lessons on cello, and sang in choirs, before studying art and music in Brighton from 1994.
As well as the classical influences of her father, and formal music lessons, Russell listened to gospel music and soul artists such as Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin from an early age, which played a big part in the shaping of her style. Other artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Eva Cassidy, Chaka Khan, and Jill Scott are listed by Russell as influences.
She began making a name for herself in the early 2000s, contributing to recordings by Bah Samba, Quantic, TM Juke, Kushti and Nostalgia 77. Her work with Bah Samba sees Russell fusing Latin sounds with tinges of house, jazz and funk, whereas her material with the band Kushti involved a more laid back, hip-hop and soul inspired sound. Her debut album, Under the Munka Moon (2004), was an amalgamation of various singles, remixes, and collaborations.
It was followed by My Favourite Letters in 2005, her debut studio album, created in collaboration with co-writer, producer, and guitarist Alex Cowan (a.k.a. TM Juke). Her third release, Under the Munka Moon II (2006), compiled her most recent collaborations, remixes, and cover versions, including her popular interpretation of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army. The Alice Russell – Live in Paris DVD also came out in 2006.
Russell and TM Juke have been touring together since 2006 in the U.K, Europe, Australia, the U.S., and other countries. In summer 2006, Grant Marshall (a.k.a. Daddy G of Massive Attack) asked Russell to play the main stage at The Big Chill music festival. Russell has also supported Lonnie Liston Smith, Femi Kuti and De La Soul, and has appeared on the bill with Amy Winehouse for the British showcase at the Midem Music Conference in Cannes 2007.
I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know
Alice Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if I ever hurt you baby... you know I hurt myself as well.
Is that any way for a man to carry on
Do you think I want my loved one gone
Said I love you
More than you′ll ever know
More than you'll ever know
When I wasn′t making much money
You know where my paycheck went
You know I brought it home to baby
And I never spent a red cent
Is that any way for a man to carry on
Do you think I want my loved one gone
Said I love you
More than you'll ever know
More than you'll ever know
I′m not trying to be
Just any kind of man
I′m just trying to be somebody
You can love, trust and understand
I know that I can be
Yeaaahhhh
A part of you that no one else could see
I just wanna hear, a hear ya say
Its allright
Yeahhh yeahhh
I'm only flesh and blood
But I can be everything that you demand
I can be king of everythang
Or just a tiny grain of sand
Is that anyway for a man to carry on
Do you think he wants his little loved one gone
I love you baby, i love you baby
I love youMore than you′ll ever know
If I ever leave you... you can say I told you so!
And if I ever hurt you ... you know I hurt myself as well.
Is that anyway for a man to carry on
Do you think he wants his little loved one gone
I treid to tell ya I love you baby, i love you baby
Yea i love you baby
I love you More than you'll ever know
I love you
I love you
I love you baby!!
I told you so many times before
I love you
I love
"You can say I told you so" is a line that suggests the singer may have doubts about the longevity of the relationship. He seems to be preparing himself for the possibility of leaving the person he loves. However, he also highlights the fact that if he hurts her, he also hurts himself. This signifies the deep connection he feels with his partner and the idea that if he were to lose her, it would cause him significant pain.
The next verse focuses on the actions of the singer to demonstrate his love. He may not be earning much, but he still ensures that his money is spent on his partner and family. This highlights his selflessness and that his actions speak louder than his words. He questions if this behavior is indicative of someone who wants their partner gone, demonstrating that he is committed to the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
If I ever leave you... you can say I told you so!
I am making a promise that if I ever leave you, you will be able to say that I warned you.
And if I ever hurt you baby... you know I hurt myself as well.
If I ever cause you pain, you should know that it hurts me too.
Is that any way for a man to carry on
Do you think that it is appropriate for a man to behave in this manner?
Do you think I want my loved one gone
I do not want to lose the person I love.
Said I love you
I am expressing my feelings of love.
More than you′ll ever know
I love you more than words can express.
When I wasn′t making much money
During the time when I did not earn much money,
You know where my paycheck went
I spent my money on you.
You know I brought it home to baby
I brought my paycheck home to you.
And I never spent a red cent
I did not spend any of my money.
I′m not trying to be
I am not attempting to act like someone else.
Just any kind of man
I do not want to be just an ordinary man.
I′m just trying to be somebody
I am striving to be someone who you can love, trust, and comprehend.
You can love, trust and understand
I want you to be able to feel love, trust and understanding towards me.
I know that I can be
I am sure that I can be
Yeaaahhhh
(vocalizations)
A part of you that no one else could see
I can be a part of you that no one else has ever seen or knows about.
I just wanna hear, a hear ya say
I simply want to hear you say
Its allright
Everything is OK now
Yeahhh yeahhh
(vocalizations)
I'm only flesh and blood
I am human and therefore imperfect.
But I can be everything that you demand
Despite my imperfections, I will do my best to meet all of your expectations.
I can be king of everythang
I can become the ruler of everything.
Or just a tiny grain of sand
I can also be a small, insignificant part of your life.
I treid to tell ya I love you baby, i love you baby
I have been attempting to convey my love for you multiple times.
Yea i love you baby
Yes, I love you.
I love you More than you'll ever know
I love you more than words could ever express.
I love you
I care deeply for you.
I love
I feel love.
I told you so many times before
I have expressed these sentiments to you multiple times in the past.
Writer(s): Al Kooper
Contributed by Bailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lewis Brockmann Sr.
Some female vocalist have "the touch" and this is a prime example. Go head girl and keep it going! (LOB)
Eazy Eightysixx
Goosebumps everytime
amybrooks22
if anyone can find a vid of her singing this live, i will love you more than you'll ever know.
not the danger
Heard this at Starbucks, spent 2 hours sussing it out but couldn't find it, so I finally asked for the CD to suss it out. This song was so worth the trouble.
Luis Colon
Love Alice Russell.....❤️❤️🍻
Adrian Pescetto
Btwn Alice and Donny singing this song I love it forever!!!
volym3e
amazing!
Victoria Maria
So, so dope!
Tolunay Temiz
This is not Donny Hathaway's song. This is Blood, Sweat and Tears' song.
HELP
Cool post Jurij Radzevich, Alice Russel' is alright.
For clarity, the sake of the songwriter and in the spirit accuracy - as such; 'I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know' was written by Al Kooper. Donny Hathaway did cover the song as well (...arguably some of the most poignant versions), Kooper wrote the song circa 67' and it was released on Blood, Sweat & Tears (Debut LP) entitled; 'Child Is Father to the Man' in 1968. Produced by Joe Simon and issued by Columbia Records.