Body and Soul
Charlie Parker & Jay McShann Lyrics


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My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I'm all for you body and soul

I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear

My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

My life a wreck you're making




You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Charlie Haden's "Body and Soul" express a deep longing for a person who is seemingly unattainable. The singer is consumed by thoughts of this person, as reflected by the lyrics "My heart is sad and lonely," and "I spend my days in longing." The singer is alluding to the idea that the person they desire is the only one that they have eyes for, and though this is clear to them, the other person has yet to see it.


The singer then expresses feelings of confusion over why their love is unrequited, stating that it is hard to believe that this person would turn away from what could be a romantic relationship. Despite this, the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to prove their love and devotion for this person, stating "I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul." Overall, the lyrics to "Body and Soul" reveal a passionate longing for love that is ultimately unfulfilled, leaving the singer feeling incomplete and unrequited.


Line by Line Meaning

My heart is sad and lonely
My heart is filled with sadness and loneliness


For you I sigh, for you dear only
I yearn for you, and only you, causing me to sigh


Why haven't you seen it
Why haven't you noticed my feelings for you?


I'm all for you body and soul
I'm entirely devoted to you, heart and soul


I spend my days in longing
I spend my days longing for you


And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I wonder why you're treating me unfairly


I tell you I mean it
I'm telling you that I'm serious


I'm all for you body and soul
I'm entirely devoted to you, heart and soul


I can't believe it
I'm having a hard time accepting it


It's hard to conceive it
It's difficult to imagine


That you'd turn away romance
That you would reject a romantic relationship


Are you pretending
Are you pretending that you don't feel the same?


It looks like the ending
It seems that our relationship is coming to an end


Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
Unless I have an opportunity to demonstrate my affection once more, my darling


My life a wreck you're making
You're causing chaos and upheaval in my life


You know I'm yours for just the taking
You know that I am willing to be with you, no questions asked


I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I would happily give myself completely to you, heart and soul




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: PAUL MICHAEL BARRY, PHIL SIMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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