Ben Selvin (March 5, 1898 - July 15, 1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Selvin (March 5, 1898 - July 15, 1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, was a musician, bandleader, record producer and innovator in recorded music. He was known as The Dean of Recorded Music.

Selvin started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. A "husky" lad, he looked older than he was and as such was permitted into such establishments.

A mere six years later, as leader of his own dance band, the "Novelty Orchestra," Selvin released the biggest-selling popular song in the first quarter-century of recorded music. That single, "Dardanella", eventually went on to sell more than 5 million copies and an additional 2 million pieces of sheet music.

According to The Guinness Book of World Records, Selvin recorded more musical sides (on 78-rpm discs) than any other person. One reason for this prolific output is that he recorded for dozens of different labels during this high-growth time in the industry, using a different name (or slightly different name) for each label.
Selvin's output has been estimated at 13,000 to 20,000 song titles.

I Only Have Eyes For You
Ben Selvin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are the stars out tonight?
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
'Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
The moon may be high,
But I can't see a thing in the sky
'Cause I only have eyes for you

I don't know if we're in a garden

Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by

But they all dissappear from view
And I only have eyes for you

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are about a person who is so deeply in love that they can’t focus on anything or anyone else but their significant other. They ask if the stars are out, but it doesn’t matter whether it’s cloudy or bright because they’re only focused on their partner. Even if the moon is high in the sky, they can’t see anything else because their love for their partner is all-consuming.

They also express that they are not sure where they are, whether they are in a garden or on a crowded street, as their focus is solely on their partner’s presence. They mention that millions of people could be passing by, but they don’t notice anyone else because their love for the other person is so intense.

The lyrics overall convey a sense of complete and total devotion to one person. The singer is entirely lost in their love for their partner and nothing else matters.

Line by Line Meaning

Are the stars out tonight?
I'm not aware of the weather conditions at night.

I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright
I'm not sure if it's a cloudy or a clear night sky.

‘Cause I only have eyes for you, dear
I am deeply in love with you and only you.

The moon may be high,
Even if the moon is shining up above,

But I can’t see a thing in the sky
I am so blinded by my love for you that I can't focus on anything else.

I don’t know if we’re in a garden
I'm not sure where we are right now, whether it's a garden or a busy street.

Or on a crowded avenue
We could be walking in a busy street where there are a lot of people around.

You are here, so am I
Despite the surroundings, we are together right now.

Maybe millions of people go by
Even if there are many people surrounding us,

But they all disappear from view
I don't pay any attention to anyone else but you, who is the most important person in my life.

And I only have eyes for you
I am completely devoted to you and you only.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Dubin, Harry Warren

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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