Bert Kaempfert (also Kämpfert) (b. 16 October 1923 - d. 21 June 1980) was a… Read Full Bio ↴Bert Kaempfert (also Kämpfert) (b. 16 October 1923 - d. 21 June 1980) was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" (originally recorded by Ivo Robić) and "Spanish Eyes".

He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the School of Music there. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band, toured with them, then worked as an arranger and producer, making hit records with Freddy Quinn and Ivo Robic. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow," in a session for Polydor. These turned out to be the Beatles' first commercial recordings. When Beatles manager Brian Epstein asked Kaempfert about further promoting The Beatles, Kaempfert informed Epstein that the company was only interested in The Beatles as Tony Sheridan's backup group. (It also turned out British Decca executive Dick Rowe turned them down in favor of local beat combo Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.) He then released The Beatles from their contract with Polydor.

Can't We Give You Anything
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from
simply rotten to something worse
Who knows, some day I will win too.
I'll begin to reach my prime.

Now though I see what our end is,

All I can spend is just my time.

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find

Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.

Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
But I am willing to wait, dear,
Your little mate, dear, will not forget.

You have a lifetime before you.
I'll adore you, come what may.

Please don't be blue for the present,

When it's so pleasant to hear you say

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find

Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.

Overall Meaning

The song "Can't We Give You Anything" by Bert Kaempfert is a sweet tune about a couple who are struggling financially, but still have love for each other. The opening lines "Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse" paint a picture of a couple who are experiencing financial hardship. The singer expresses hope that someday they will be able to change their situation, but in the meantime, they can’t offer material possessions to their loved one. The line "I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby" shows that the singer is aware of their limitations but is still assuring their partner of their affection.

The singer talks about the pursuit of happiness and how they will keep dreaming and scheming until they find it. The line "Dream awhile, scheme awhile, we're sure to find happiness" gives a sense of determination that they will get through this hard time together. Despite their financial struggles, there is still a sense of hope and positivity in the song.

In the final verse, the singer assures their partner that they are willing to wait for their lucky day until they can provide their loved one with the finer things in life. They express their devotion and hope that their loved one is not blue during this time. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, which highlights the message that despite everything they are going through, the only thing they can offer is their love.

Line by Line Meaning

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being poor is a difficult situation, my dear

It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
Being broke is not something to laugh at, it's a misfortune

My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
My situation keeps getting worse, it started off bad and got worse

Who knows, some day I will win too. I'll begin to reach my prime.
Perhaps someday my luck will improve, and I'll reach my full potential

Now though I see what our end is, All I can spend is just my time.
I understand what lies ahead of us, and all I can give you is my time and attention

I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
I may not have material possessions to offer, but I have an abundance of love to give to you

Dream awhile, scheme awhile We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Let's dream and plan together, we're bound to find the happiness and all those things you've always wanted

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I wish to see you looking beautiful and elegant, with expensive diamond bracelets, not sold at Woolworth's

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love.
Until the day when luck favors us, all I can offer is my love

Rome wasn't built in a day, kid. You have to pay, kid, for what you get. But I am willing to wait, dear, Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
Great things take time, and you have to work hard to achieve them. But I am patient and committed to you, my dear, and I will not forget

You have a lifetime before you. I'll adore you, come what may.
We have a whole lifetime ahead of us, and I promise to love, cherish and support you, no matter what happens

Please don't be blue for the present, When it's so pleasant to hear you say
Don't be sad about our present situation, I enjoy hearing your voice and spending time with you

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Word Collections Publishing, Shapiro Bernstein & Co Inc, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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