All I Have
Chantilly Lyrics


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It's cold here
It's exactly what I've feared
Guess the pamphlet didn't make it quite clear
Cold stares, rainy days, cheap sex
And every hipster trying to be hipper than the next
All you can really do is try your best

But people here turn on a dime
To suit thier needs at the time
Crowd of faces, one of them mine
That's fine

(Chorus)
I'm alone, I'm alone
But it's not so bad
I'm alone and I'm all I have

You start to believe
Start to wonder
"Is it just me,
Or is it this thing I clearly see?"
You can't hold respect
When people don't care
Not even the ones you expect
It makes it that much harder to connect

It's not a big deal
Just the way I feel
But right now, I'm wishing
My heart was made of steel

(Chorus)

No, I'm not Miss Frigging Hip
No, I don't feel free
Really that's all I wanna be
I give myself
And it's just not enough
And boy, I can take a lotta shit
But it's hard to be that tough





(Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The song "All I Have" by Chantilly is a contemplative reflection of a person describing their state in a new environment where they don't fit in. The person seems to be in a place that is not welcoming and is notably different from what they are used to. They describe it as cold and rainy, and everyone around them appears to be trying too hard to fit in, especially the hipsters. They also feel like they are constantly judged and left out by the people around them. The refrain "I'm alone, I'm alone, but it's not so bad, I'm alone and I'm all I have" gives the sense that the person has come to terms with their isolation and seems to survive on self-reliance.


The second verse further exposes the person's feelings of disconnect from the people in that environment. They share that they are wondering whether everyone else is feeling the same way as they do or if they are the only one feeling like they don't fit in. The person expresses that it is difficult to gain respect when people don't care, even those they expect to. They also wish they had a heart made of steel to cope better. The bridge summarizes the person's resolve in the song, admitting that they are not necessarily tough, but they are willing to take a lot of pain to survive the situation.


Line by Line Meaning

It's cold here
I'm uncomfortable and unhappy with the weather and environment


It's exactly what I've feared
My fears about this place have come true


Guess the pamphlet didn't make it quite clear
The advertising didn't accurately portray the reality of this location


Cold stares, rainy days, cheap sex
I'm surrounded by unfriendly people, bad weather, and a superficial hookup culture


And every hipster trying to be hipper than the next
I'm annoyed by the pretentious and competitive attitudes of the people around me


All you can really do is try your best
I'm attempting to cope and make the best of my situation


But people here turn on a dime
The locals are unpredictable and quick to change their minds


To suit thier needs at the time
They only care about their own interests and will do whatever benefits them in the moment


Crowd of faces, one of them mine
I'm just another face in the crowd and don't feel like I belong


That's fine
I've come to accept my situation


I'm alone, I'm alone
I'm lonely


But it's not so bad
I'm trying to look on the bright side


I'm alone and I'm all I have
I'm learning to rely on myself and find strength in solitude


You start to believe
I'm beginning to think


Start to wonder
I'm contemplating


"Is it just me,
I'm questioning if my perceptions are accurate


Or is it this thing I clearly see?"
Or if the problems and issues I'm facing are real and not just in my head


You can't hold respect
I'm not being treated with respect


When people don't care
I'm surrounded by apathy


Not even the ones you expect
Even people who I thought were my friends or allies are indifferent to my struggles


It makes it that much harder to connect
The lack of empathy and interest from others is preventing me from forming meaningful relationships


It's not a big deal
I'm trying to downplay my emotions and issues


Just the way I feel
But my emotions are still valid and affecting me


But right now, I'm wishing
At this moment, I'm desiring


My heart was made of steel
To be emotionally resilient and unaffected by my surroundings


No, I'm not Miss Frigging Hip
I'm not trying to fit in with the fashionable crowd


No, I don't feel free
I'm not experiencing the liberation and empowerment that others associate with this place


Really that's all I wanna be
I'm just trying to be true to myself


I give myself
I put myself out there


And it's just not enough
But my efforts aren't producing the results I want


And boy, I can take a lotta shit
I'm capable of enduring a lot of hardship and negativity


But it's hard to be that tough
But even I have my limits and moments of vulnerability




Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@marieblue

Originally called β€œThat’s What I Like,” β€œChantilly Lace” (1958) was released as a B-side for another tune. While the A-side got some airplay, the β€œChantilly Lace” B-side eventually took off, becoming one of the most popular songs of 1958. The Big Bopper was a star, and he was on tour for most of the year to promote his record.

The Big Bopper’s real name was J.P. Richardson. He was a prominent DJ and a prolific songsmith. He died on February 3, 1959 in the plane crash that also claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. β€œTHE DAY THE MUSIC DIED.”

The Big Bopper coined the term β€œrock video” in a printed interview. He was convinced that video was the wave of the future and, at the time of his demise, he was preparing to start production of music videos for TV as well as a specially designed jukebox that would play videos.

The spoken intro to β€œChantilly Lace,” β€œHellooooo, baby. Yeah, this is The Big Bopper speaking’…” was typical DJ patter, his bailiwick. By saying his name at the beginning of a lay, Bopper made it clear who the artist was and much easier for listeners to ask for it at record stores.

This was the last piece performed at the Clear Lake, Iowa concert the night Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson perished. πŸ’šπŸŽΆπŸ’œπŸŽ΅πŸ’™

May you rest in peace, FOREVER YOUNG Jiles Perry Richardson Jr. (1930 - 1959)… πŸŒΉβ€¦ Richard Steven Valenzuela (1941 - 1959)… πŸŒΉβ€¦ & Charles Hardin Holley, a.k.a. Buddy Holly (1936 - 1959)… 🌹



@user-ww7ec2ot4n

Lyrics:

Hello baby, yeah, this is the Big Bopper speakin’
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, oh you sweet thing
Do I what?
Will I what?
Oh baby, you know what I like

Chantilly lace and a pretty face
And a pony tail a-hangin’ down
That wiggle in the walk
And giggle in the talk
Makes the world go round
There ain’t nothin’ in the world
Like a big eyed girl
That makes me act so funny
Make me spend my money
Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Like a girl, oh baby that’s what I like

What’s that baby, but, but, but
Oh honey
But, oh baby you know what I like

Chantilly lace and a pretty face
And a pony tail a-hangin’ down
That wiggle in the walk
And giggle in the talk
Lord! Makes the world go round, round, round
There ain’t nothin’ in the world
Like a big eyed girl
That makes me act so funny
Make me spend my money
Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Like a girl, oh baby that’s what I like

What’s that honey
Pick you up at 8 and don’t be late
But baby, I ain’t got no money honey
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Oh alright honey, you know what I like

Chantilly lace and a pretty face
And a pony tail a-hangin’ down
That wiggle in the walk
And giggle in the talk
Lord! Makes the world go round
There ain’t nothin’ in the world
Like a big eyed girl
That makes me act so funny
Make me spend my money
Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Like a girl, oh baby that’s what I like



All comments from YouTube:

@dishaesak5561

This song seriously never leaves your head after you've heard it once

@rockinmosquito

You outta try the flip side, the Purple People Meets the Witch Doctor.

@christopheredison2094

It was on an album when I was 12 or 13, my mates dad singing it and telling me about the big boppa lol I’m 39 now and it definitely doesn’t leave you

@franco3237

i hear you - been in mine since first heard it in 1973

@tomdavey5111

I just sang along with it and didn't miss a beat or a word

@charlotte-mg9wj

I found it this morning. I’m going to be late for work, oh well…

9 More Replies...

@user-sl5wj4cl6p

The Big Bopper was a guy that you just loved before he ever played a note. Once you heard Chantilly lace, you were his fan for life.

@robtru84

It's sad he's not here to listen to his music or perform his songs

@idontknowmuch3441

He had one song if you can call it that

@plawson8577

@@idontknowmuch3441He didn’t HAVE enough time to release another single. He was literally DEAD just 6 months after this performance.

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