With Thee I Swing
Billie Holiday W/ Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics

In "With Thee I Swing," Billie Holiday expresses a deep affection for her dance partner, and revels in being swept away by the music and his presence. The lyrics begin by declaring that swinging with this person isn't merely a physical experience; it is an emotional one as well. The singer's desire to cling to this person reveals a need for connection and intimacy, and the music is the conduit that enables it. When they dance with each other, everything else fades away and they are completely absorbed in the moment.

The second stanza reinforces this sentiment, asserting that the other dancers the singer has known are only temporary distractions. However, when she is with this special person, time stands still and she is able to truly let go. The last couplet adds a sense of finality to the song, stating that the singer's life will not be complete until she can swing "down the middle aisle" with this person. The phrase is a euphemism for walking down the aisle together in marriage, suggesting that this isn't just a romantic fling, but a deep and abiding love.

Overall, "With Thee I Swing" is a song about the transformative power of music, and the emotional connection that can be forged through dance. Billie Holiday's vocals are imbued with a sense of longing and vulnerability that adds to the emotional impact of the lyrics.