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.
If I Had You
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will you always treat me tenderly and in every way be fair?
If I give my heart to you, will you give me all your love?
Will you swear that you'll be true to me by the light that shines above?
And will you sigh with me when I'm sad
Smile with me when I'm glad
And always be as you are with me tonight
Think it over and be sure
Please don't answer 'til you do
When you promise all these things to me
Then I'll give my heart to you
If I give my heart to you, will you handle it with care?
Will you always treat me tenderly and in every way be fair?
If I give my heart to you, will you give me all your love?
Will you swear that you'll be true to me by the light that shines above?
And will you sigh with me when I'm sad
Smile with me when I'm glad
And always be as you are with me tonight
Think it over and be sure
Please don't answer 'til you do
When you promise all these things to me
Then I'll give my heart to you
The lyrics of "If I Had You" by Bert Kaempfert have a straightforward message of a lover asking their partner for trust and commitment in the relationship. The song's opening lines ask whether the lover will handle the heart with care and treat the singer tenderly in every way. The singer also asks for complete devotion and honesty from the lover and to always be by their side, both in good and bad times.
The repeated use of rhetorical questions in the lyrics illustrates the emotional struggle of the singer to trust the lover truly. The singer is trying to find clarity and reassurance before giving their heart away completely. The climax of the lyrics expresses the conditionality of the offer, only if the lover promises to provide all this and more, will the singer give their heart to them.
Overall, the song portrays the vulnerability and uncertainty that comes with falling in love and giving oneself wholly, but it also highlights the importance of trust, honesty, and mutual devotion in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
If I give my heart to you, will you handle it with care?
I want to entrust you with my heart, but only if you are willing to treat it kindly and with love.
Will you always treat me tenderly and in every way be fair?
I hope that you will treat me with tenderness and fairness in all aspects of our relationship.
If I give my heart to you, will you give me all your love?
If I pour my heart out to you, will you reciprocate with your love and affection?
Will you swear that you'll be true to me by the light that shines above?
Can I trust that you will remain faithful and loyal to me, vowed under the unbreakable light of the heavens?
And will you sigh with me when I'm sad
In moments of sadness, I hope that you will share my pain and comfort me with your presence.
Smile with me when I'm glad
In moments of joy, I hope that you will share my happiness and celebrate with me.
And always be as you are with me tonight
I hope that the way you are with me tonight, in all your warmth and tenderness, will be the way you always are with me.
Think it over and be sure
Take time to carefully consider your feelings and intentions.
Please don't answer 'til you do
I would like you to refrain from answering until you have thought it over and are certain of your response.
When you promise all these things to me
When you make a solemn vow to fulfill all of the above conditions.
Then I'll give my heart to you
Only then will I entrust you with my heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL JACOBS, JIMMIE CRANE, JIMMY BREWSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind