All Of You
Billie Holiday w/Ray Ellis and His Orchestra Lyrics
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The sweet of you, and the pure of you
The eyes, the arms, and the (that) mouth of you
The east, west, north, and the (that) south of you
I'd love to gain complete control of you
Handle even the heart and soul of you
Love at least a small percent of me do
The lyrics to "All Of You" express an intense passion and desire for someone's entirety. The writer mentions how they love the physical attributes of the person they are singing to; their eyes, arms, and mouth. But beyond that, they want to gain complete control of this person's heart and soul. They want to be loved in return, even if it's just a small percentage. The lyrics convey both a sense of longing and a need for possession.
The song "All Of You" was first recorded by Cole Porter in 1954 for the musical "Silk Stockings". Billie Holiday's version, backed by Ray Ellis and His Orchestra, was released in 1956. The song quickly became a jazz standard and has since been covered by various artists.
Line by Line Meaning
I love the look(s) of you, (and) the lure of you
I am attracted to every aspect of you, including your physical appearance and the way you entice me.
The sweet of you, and the pure of you
Your goodness and kindness make me feel warm and content.
The eyes, the arms, and the (that) mouth of you
Your gaze, embrace, and kiss are all I want.
The east, west, north, and the (that) south of you
Every part of you, no matter where you come from or where you go, has captured my heart.
I'd love to gain complete control of you
I wish I could possess you and hold all your love.
Handle even the heart and soul of you
I long to understand your deepest emotions and connect with you on a spiritual level.
Love at least a small percent of me do
If you can love me, even just a little bit, that would be enough for me to go on.
'Cause (Because) I love all of you
I cherish everything about you, and I want you to know that all of you is what I truly love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind