Love Me Or Leave Me
Billie Holiday; Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics
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I can't stand uncertainly
Tell me now I've got to know
Whether you want me to stay or to go
Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won't believe me, I love you only
Then happy with someone else
You might find the night time
The right time for kissin'
But night time is my time
For just reminiscin'
Regrettin' instead of forgettin'
With somebody else
There'll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blue
I want your love
But I don't want to borrow
To have it today to give it back tomorrow
For your love is my love
There's no love for nobody else
The song "Love Me Or Leave Me" by Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra is about the pain and uncertainty of being in a relationship where one's feelings are not clearly expressed or reciprocated. The opening lines of the song communicate this sentiment clearly, with the singer lamenting that the affair is "killin' me" and that they "can't stand uncertainty". The chorus of the song is a desperate plea to the singer's partner to either commit to loving them or allowing them to move on and be alone.
The second verse of the song delves further into the singer's desire to be with their partner, even though they know that being with someone else might make them happier. However, they cannot imagine being with anyone else, as their love is only for their partner. The third verse reflects the singer's preference for nighttime, which is the time they spend reminiscing and regretting instead of being with someone else.
Overall, the lyrics of "Love Me Or Leave Me" paint a picture of a tortured soul who is struggling to come to terms with the uncertainty and unrequited love in their relationship. The singer longs for clarity and commitment, but is afraid to be alone or to lose their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
This affair is killin' me
This relationship is causing me great pain
I can't stand uncertainly
I am unable to tolerate the doubt and indecision
Tell me now I've got to know
Please inform me immediately as I require the information right away
Whether you want me to stay or to go
Please indicate if you desire for me to stay or depart from my present position
Love me or leave me
You must either have affection for me or abandon me
Or let me be lonely
Alternatively, you may leave me alone and isolated
You won't believe me, I love you only
It may seem unlikely, but I only harbor romantic feelings for you
I'd rather be lonely
I would rather endure loneliness
Then happy with someone else
Than to be content with another individual
You might find the night time
You may discover that the evening hours are ideal
The right time for kissin'
As the perfect period for embracing and locking lips
But night time is my time
However, nighttime is the time that I associate with
For just reminiscin'
Simply for recalling the past and reflecting on it
Regrettin' instead of forgettin'
Experiencing remorse rather than disregarding events
With somebody else
If I were to be with another person
There'll be no one
I shall be without anyone
Unless that someone is you
Unless you are the individual in question
I intend to be independently blue
I plan to be self-sufficiently melancholy
I want your love
I desire your affection
But I don't want to borrow
However, I am not interested in borrowing it
To have it today to give it back tomorrow
Receiving it today only to return it tomorrow
For your love is my love
Because your love belongs to me
There's no love for nobody else
There is no love for anyone other than you and me
Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind