Benny Goodman led his first band in 1934. The music they played had its ro… Read Full Bio ↴Benny Goodman led his first band in 1934. The music they played had its roots in the Southern jazz forms of ragtime and Dixieland, while its structure adhered more to arranged music than its more improvisational jazz counterparts. On August 21, 1935, Benny's band played the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles. The gig was sensational and marked the beginning of the years that Benny would reign as King: the Swing Era.

See also http://www.last.fm/music/Benny+Goodman+&+His+Orchestra

All I Need Is You
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see a million people, but all I can see is you.
I hear a million voices, but only your voice comes through.
I wait for your footsteps, I've waited before,
I know if it's you if you knock at my door,
I know you're around by the sound of my pounding heart!

I see a million faces, but what do I really see?
A million little traces keep bringing you back to me;

And try as I may to forget to care,

What can I do if you're always there?
I see a million people, but all I can see is you!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "All I Need Is You" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra convey a sense of fixation on a specific person, and the way their presence dominates the singer's perception of the world. The first verse describes a situation in which the singer is surrounded by a crowd of people and yet only able to focus on the individual they desire. They can hear nothing but the sound of this person's voice and can distinguish their presence by the sound of their footsteps. The second verse suggests that the singer cannot escape their feelings for this person, even when they try to forget or move on. They are reminded of this person through a "million little traces" that keep bringing them back.

This song represents the obsession of an individual with someone they cannot resist, no matter where they are or what they do. The singer is completely fascinated and drawn to the appearance and presence of an individual in their life. Moreover, the song seems to present this fixation as something beyond the singer's control, suggesting that they are helplessly in love with this person.

Line by Line Meaning

I see a million people, but all I can see is you.
Despite being surrounded by many people, the singer's focus is solely on the person they love.

I hear a million voices, but only your voice comes through.
The singer is able to distinguish their loved one's voice among many, showing how important and ingrained it is in their life.

I wait for your footsteps, I've waited before,
The singer is eagerly anticipating the arrival of their loved one, which is something they've experienced many times before.

I know if it's you if you knock at my door,
The singer is able to recognize their loved one's knock, further highlighting how significant this person is in their life.

I know you're around by the sound of my pounding heart!
The singer's heartbeat increases when their loved one is near, a physical manifestation of their emotions.

I see a million faces, but what do I really see?
The singer questions the true meaning behind the many people they encounter, suggesting that only their loved one holds real significance.

A million little traces keep bringing you back to me;
The singer is constantly reminded of their loved one through many small details, indicating the depth of their connection.

And try as I may to forget to care,
Despite the singer's attempts to move on, they are unable to shake their feelings for their loved one.

What can I do if you're always there?
The presence of the singer's loved one in their thoughts and life is unshakeable, leaving them feeling helpless.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VNAM CARISLE, ROBERT SOUR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@foghatrocks

14y↑5

My God...I had no idea she was so great. The only thing I have heard by her up till now is "Is That All There Is" I had no idea her voice was that great.

@SergioVellatti

14y↑4

I loved this, buddy! Benny Goodman + Peggy Lee = Magic! Wonderful upload! Thanks! * * * * *

@chicaviszla

14y↑4

this is a great recording for 1942, Peggy Lee sounds like she is right next to me, good upload

@kerstinsundgren6296

Wonderful music and voice. I miss that kind of music today. Nearly all modern music are badly played, arrangements missing totally and if you want to keep your hearing for a few more years, turn it down!