Born Robert James Byrd in Fort Worth, Texas, he moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of fifteen. As a member of the R&B group, the Hollywood Flames, he used the stage name Bobby Day to perform and record. He went several years with minor musical success limited to the West Coast, including being the original "Bob" in the duo Bob & Earl. In 1957, Day formed his own band called the "Satellites" following which he authored three songs that are seen today as rock and roll classics.
Bobby Day's best known songwriting efforts were "Over and Over" made popular by the Dave Clark Five in 1965 and "Little Bitty Pretty One" popularized by Thurston Harris in 1957, Clyde McPhatter in 1962 and the Jackson Five in 1972. However, Day is most remembered for his 1958 solo recording of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit, "Rockin' Robin", a song covered by Michael Jackson in 1972.
Sometimes referred to as a one-hit wonder, despite numerous recordings with a variety of record companies, after "Rockin' Robin", Bobby Day never achieved a Top 40 hit again.
Bobby Day died of cancer in 1990 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
That's All I Want
Bobby Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fo fumma, fo fumma...
A sweet little kiss
When we embrace
A pretty little smile
That's always on your face
To make your feet look neat
Some pretty little dancing steps
From your little feet
And that's all (that's all)
That's all (that's all)
All I want (that's all I want)
A pretty little wiggle
Baby, when you walk
A pretty little giggle
Baby, when you talk
A pretty little wrinkle
Baby, in your smile
A pretty little twinkle
Baby, in your eye
And that's all (that's all)
That's all (that's all)
All I want (that's all I want)
Well, a pretty little dress
To make you show your size
A cute little smirk
Instead of all of the guys
Some pretty little words
That say that I'm your man
My pretty little wedding ring
On your left hand
That's all, that's all
That's all I want
Well, a pretty little dress
To make you show your size
A cute little smirk
Instead of all of the guys
Some pretty little words
That say that I'm your man
My pretty little wedding ring
On your left hand
A pretty little dimple
Baby, in your cheek
A pretty little dress
To make you look so neat
A pretty little voice
To make you sound so fine
Some cute little words that
Says you're mine, all mine
That's all (that's all)
That's all (that's all)
All I want (that's all I want)
In the song "That's All I Want," Bobby Day is expressing his adoration for his lover. He begins by stating that all he wants is a simple embrace and a kiss from his partner. Day then goes on to praise her physical features and personality, such as her smile and cute shoes, as well as her quirks, like her giggle and wrinkle in her smile. He also mentions how important it is for her to wear a pretty dress, have a wedding ring on her left hand, and express her love for him in words. Overall, Day presents a picture of a man who is deeply in love and cherishes everything about his significant other.
Line by Line Meaning
Fee fi fo fum
The singer is creating a playful and nonsensical mood by repeating a childlike rhyme.
A sweet little kiss
When we embrace
A pretty little smile
That's always on your face
The singer desires small but cherished moments of affection and happiness in the relationship.
Some cute little shoes
To make your feet look neat
Some pretty little dancing steps
From your little feet
The singer wants to see the person they love look and feel confident about themselves, even down to their footwear and dance moves.
And that's all (that's all)
That's all (that's all)
All I want (that's all I want)
The artist emphasizes that their desires are simple and modest and they do not ask for more than what they feel is reasonable.
A pretty little wiggle
Baby, when you walk
A pretty little giggle
Baby, when you talk
The artist finds joy in small, playful actions and mannerisms from the person they love.
A pretty little wrinkle
Baby, in your smile
A pretty little twinkle
Baby, in your eye
The singer finds beauty in the unique features and expressions of their loved one's face.
Well, a pretty little dress
To make you show your size
A cute little smirk
Instead of all of the guys
The singer wants their loved one to feel confident and desirable while asserting their loyalty to the relationship.
Some pretty little words
That say that I'm your man
My pretty little wedding ring
On your left hand
The artist seeks commitment and a public declaration of love from their partner.
A pretty little dimple
Baby, in your cheek
A pretty little dress
To make you look so neat
The artist continues to express admiration for small, charming details of their partner's appearance.
A pretty little voice
To make you sound so fine
Some cute little words that
Says you're mine, all mine
The artist values the sound of their partner's voice and loving words that affirm the exclusivity of their relationship.
Contributed by Landon W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.