As Long as I Live
Benny Goodman and his Sextet Lyrics


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Maybe I can't live to love you as long as I want to.
Life isn't long enough baby, but I can love you as long as I live.

Maybe I can't give you diamonds and things like I want to,
But I can promise you, baby, I'm gonna want to as long as I live.

I never cared, but now I'm scared, I won't live long enough.
That's why I wear my rubbers when it rains
And eat an apple every day then see
The doctor anyway.

What if I can't live to love you as long as I want to.
Long as I promise you, baby, I'm gonna love you as long I live.

I'll even wear long underwear, when winter breezes blow
I'm gonna take good care of me because, a sneeze or two might mean the flu,
And that would never never do





What if I can't live to love you as long as I want to.
Long as I promise you, baby, I'm gonna love you as long I live.

Overall Meaning

The song "As Long as I Live" by Benny Goodman Sextet (feat. Benny Goodman & Charlie Christian) is a love song that expresses the limitations of human life, while promising eternal love. The first verse conveys the idea that the singer might not be able to live long enough to fully love their partner as much as they would like to. However, the second verse assures the partner that, despite not being able to provide diamonds and material possessions, the love he has for her will last as long as he lives. The lyrics talk about the singer's fear that he might not be able to live long enough to see their love fully bloom, and he expresses his desire to take better care of himself to avoid any health issues that might compromise this love.


The singer's realization that life is short and unpredictable is evident in the line "I never cared, but now I'm scared, I won't live long enough." The singer then goes on to mention how he takes precautions like wearing rubbers when it rains and eating an apple every day just to see a doctor. This shows the singer's awareness of the importance of staying healthy to be with his loved one for as long as he can.


Overall, "As Long as I Live" is a touching song that speaks to the universal human condition of our limited time on earth, while promising an everlasting love that will endure beyond the constraints of time.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe I can't live to love you as long as I want to.
Life isn't long enough baby, but I can love you as long as I live.


Maybe I can't give you diamonds and things like I want to,
I may not be able to afford all the luxuries, but I promise to desire them always.


But I can promise you, baby, I'm gonna want to as long as I live.
Despite my limitations, my desire for you will remain unchanging.


I never cared, but now I'm scared, I won't live long enough.
In the past, I may not have worried about mortality, but now I fear I may not live long enough.


That's why I wear my rubbers when it rains
I take precautions to ensure good health, such as wearing appropriate footwear.


And eat an apple every day then see
I make conscious efforts to maintain a healthy diet.


The doctor anyway.
And seek medical attention when necessary.


What if I can't live to love you as long as I want to.
Even if my life is cut short, I promise to love you as long as I live.


Long as I promise you, baby, I'm gonna love you as long I live.
I vow to cherish you forever, for as long as I draw breath.


I'll even wear long underwear, when winter breezes blow
I'll take every measure necessary to ensure my own longevity, such as wearing warm clothing.


I'm gonna take good care of me because, a sneeze or two might mean the flu,
I'll prioritize self-care to prevent being stricken with illness.


And that would never never do
Becoming sick would disrupt our love and relationship, and I vow to prevent that from ever happening.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, S.A. MUSIC
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, TED KOEHLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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MrAnderswt

What a great outfit

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