Body and Soul
Benny Goodman & His Trio Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it

I'm all for you body and soul

I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear

My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

My life a wreck you're making

You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Benny Goodman Trio's song "Body and Soul" express the deep longing and heartache of unrequited love. The singer is desperately in love with someone who seems to be either unaware of their feelings or purposely ignoring them. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to surrender oneself completely to this person. The use of the term "body and soul" further emphasizes the idea of giving oneself completely, both physically and emotionally, to the object of affection.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer expresses their sadness and longing for this person. The second stanza adds a sense of confusion and frustration, as the singer wonders why they are being rejected. The third stanza expresses a desperate plea for one more chance to prove their love. Finally, the last stanza reinforces the singer's willingness to surrender themselves completely to this person, no matter the cost.

Overall, "Body and Soul" is a powerful and emotional song that conveys the intensity of unrequited love. The lyrics are simple yet poignant, and the melody adds to the sense of longing and heartache.

Line by Line Meaning

My heart is sad and lonely
I am afflicted with sorrow and loneliness

For you I sigh, for you dear only
My desire and yearning are only for you

Why haven't you seen it
I wonder why you have not noticed my affection

I'm all for you body and soul
You have captured my entire being and essence

I spend my days in longing
My days are consumed with intense desire

And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I question why you mistreat me

I tell you I mean it
I am earnest in my intentions

I'm all for you body and soul
You have complete ownership of my body and soul

I can't believe it
I am incredulous

It's hard to conceive it
It is difficult to comprehend

That you'd turn away romance
I cannot fathom why you would reject this love

Are you pretending
I wonder if you are feigning emotion

It looks like the ending
It appears that this is the conclusion

Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I need another opportunity to demonstrate my love, my darling

My life a wreck you're making
You are causing chaos in my life

You know I'm yours for just the taking
You are aware that I am yours to claim

I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I offer myself willingly to you, entirely and completely

Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, John Green, Robert Sour

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@noopy22

2y↑7

I am currently 13 years old, this song is way older then me, yet I still enjoy it. I listen to it on the way to school on the bus. It’s beautiful. Makes me feel like I’m in the 50s.

@graceskerp

1y↑2

Then you'll also enjoy Artie Shaw's Begin the Beguine. Check it out.

@wanttoknow5964

4y↑32

I heard this song for the first time in 2000. Unfortunately, I forgot the title and the artist's name....but have hummed it a lot over the years. I always hoped I would hear it in its entirety again. And now look...I finally found it. Such a beautiful song. I'm happy now.

@BananaLizard

17w↑2

one of the best feelings in the world tbh

@wildsmiley

4y↑3

One of my most cherished jazz recordings. Whenever you hear Teddy Wilson play, the sun shines a little brighter.

@donnyrichard4644

10y↑22

Glorious music, fantastic master musicians taking me back to my teen days in the early 40's. WOW!

@won01419

10y↑1

very nice ~ ~~~~

@cupbowl6787

That’s so cool I can’t imagine living in those times

@gabrielmrabi2309

8y↑6

This music is more relaxing than a joint

@hoss73ford

11y↑5

take your sweetie & dance to this in your living room, just the two of you & will have a natural high that is unequalled anywhere else.

@graceskerp

5y↑2

Goodman, Wilson and Krupa, making angels weep with envy.

@tonycevallos7513

8y↑21

"Radio Days" brought me here.

@Narragansett55

13y↑10

I've been watching Ken Burns' Jazz, and this song is the one from the series that just keeps popping into my mind. Outstanding composition.

@magicbird111

8y↑8

The memories make me cry. I loved my Dad.

@mimiciobrao007

14y↑3

The best Benny Goodman period. Just absolutely dreamy.... Thank's for this post. .

@dtenner

12y↑6

One detail about this record that some people miss: That beautiful final sigh from Goodman's clarinet!

@allannicholson6093

32w

Only one thing even better than the trio and that was the quartet!

@paperboxcutter

5y↑4

We learned the song by ear from this 78 rpm record way back when.

@laspaginastatuadas

I came here from a scene in Philip Roth's novel Sabbath's Theatre. I'm glad I did.

@CarolineFrances

10y↑17

Thanks, JM, for the history lesson...

@MrScottRon

7y↑5

I'm still living in the Forties on Music. Seen most of them in theaters or at Dances.

@imanim4844

One of the best music eras to live in!

@7EMERSON9

13y↑2

How cool it would be to get everyone commenting here together for an evening, for a change... ;-)

@NiGHTSaturn

6y↑2

Funny fact, I discovered this song playing the Flash Game "RockStarter" by DancingPaul at the beginning of the 00's. When MiniClip was the website I always went to and YouTube and Facebook were still not here. Memories... I love jazz from that era... So soothing.

@missmaryfabela98

1y↑1

Miniclip 😮!!! Ah the memories

@mjosemartinez1011

Siempre❤

@Corrie121

11y↑1

I can't believe it. It's hard to conceive it, that anyone would disagree that this is a fabulous version of a wonderful tune. Thank you for sharing and thanks to sessnazx for sending.

@bernieperkins1206

9y↑3

I never tier of the music of the 20's 30's and 40's...it just relaxes me so... because it was my parents era I'm guessing.

@carolevonaarberg472

8y↑9

"The Rivers of London" brought me here.

@lannifincoris6482

8y↑2

me too! :-)

@imanim4844

I love this 💗 very talented men 🎶

@robertodeluca7997

4y↑1

Never knew until I watched Jazz on PDS America

@tingling32

9y↑11

teddy Wilson will always reign supreme of all jazz pianists in my book Donny Richard try to listen to Teddy Wilson with Lester Young playing Body and Soul. An amazing piano solo

@donnyrichard4644

9y↑2

Thanks Alan, I will. Teddy Wilson was an icon!

@hoss73ford

9y↑2

+donny richard Benny was one of the first to hire black musicians which was almost unheard of in 1935. Later he hired Lionel Hampton as well.

@MrJpartridge

6y↑2

teddy's touch and taste were unparalled Unlike other jazz pianists he didn't let his phenomenal technique overwhelm the music

@berriganfan

14y↑1

what a great rendition , this version is the only one that is great! whether or not you are a Benny G fan or not give the man credit he knew how to showcase great talent

@valeriushildonen

7y↑1

…listning to "Valerius sin lille sofakrok" on Radio Nordkapp Thursday 20. October 2016, kl 19-20 (7-8 p.m.) (Norwegian time) 9 tracks with Benny Goodman in my music program on local radio in Norway. «Bugle Call Rag», «Body and Soul », «Sometimes I'm Happy», «You Turned the Tables On Me», «Goody Goody», «Sweet Sue - Just You», «Tea for Two», «Seven Come Eleven» and «Goodbye» .

@jeremylefevre2451

4y↑2

Could someone tell me why 30s and 40s music are so beautiful that I cry???

@imanim4844

I would love to know too 💗 I have been obsessed since I was a teenager

@nabeelhassan1281

4y↑1

Awesome!

@minervadesole2128

9y↑1

Gracias por compartir esta maravilla !!!!

@mariacorteze9173

11y↑2

So good . *-*

@sexyfatbastid

12y↑6

"There I am in my Masked Avenger hat & goggles which I got off my friend in a trade"

@tonybmusic1166

I’m actually reading about this particular recording in Ted Gioia’s “History Of Jazz.” It was done in 1935 with Teddy Wilson on piano and Gene Krupa on drums. This is my personal favorite era of American music….”The Great American Songbook.” I’ve been a working pro since 1964 and have always dug performing music by Porter, Kern, Gershwin, Arlen and Rodgers.

@mrkrinkle72

Music IS time travel folks!

@matystafishing7129

4y↑1

I Would Say thanks to américan horror story and James Patrick march for this butiful musique ❤️

@thewatcher5271

I See I'm In Good Company Here Believing Teddy Wilson To Be The Greatest Jazz Pianist. He Is The Epitome Of, "It's How You Play The Notes, Not How Many Notes You Play . . .