Alfie
Burt Bacharach/Kenny G Lyrics


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What's it all about, Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie




When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Burt Bacharach/Kenny G's song Alfie are exploring the meaning and purpose of life. The singer is questioning what it all means and if it is just for the moment we live. They ask Alfie if we are meant to take more than we give or if we are meant to be kind. The lyrics suggest that kindness may be seen as foolish in a world where only the strong survive. The singer also questions what we will rely on in a society where the old golden rule no longer seems to apply.


Despite these uncertainties, the singer believes in something greater than ourselves. They believe in love, and they see it as the key to a meaningful life. The singer suggests that without true love, we are merely existing. They urge Alfie to let his heart lead the way in his search for love, and assure him that he will find it if he does.


Overall, the lyrics to Alfie are reflective and melancholic, yet also hopeful. They encourage listeners to question the world around them and embrace the power of love in their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

What's it all about, Alfie
Alfie, what is the meaning or purpose of life?


Is it just for the moment we live
Do we exist only to enjoy life's fleeting pleasures?


What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie
Alfie, when you've figured it out, what is the purpose of life?


Are we meant to take more than we give
Is it our destiny to be selfish and greedy?


Or are we meant to be kind
Or should we strive to be kind and generous?


And if only fools are kind, Alfie
And if only the foolish are generous, then maybe it's better to be cruel


Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
So, it might actually be wiser to be cruel than to be kind


And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
And if life is only for the physically or mentally strong,


What will you lend on an old golden rule
what moral principle can we rely on?


As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I strongly believe in the existence of an afterlife above the skies, Alfie


I know there's something much more
I'm certain that there's something beyond this current life


Something even non-believers can believe in
Even those who don't believe in afterlife or any religion will perhaps agree with me


I believe in love, Alfie
I put my faith in love as being that which transcends life and death, Alfie


Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Without love, life is devoid of any true essence, Alfie


Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
Your life will have no worth until you find the love that you have missed, Alfie


When you walk let your heart lead the way
When you traverse life, let your heart guide you rather than your mind, Alfie


And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie
And you shall find love someday, Alfie, Alfie




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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