After the quick dissolution of David & David in the mid-'80s, David Baerwal… Read Full Bio ↴After the quick dissolution of David & David in the mid-'80s, David Baerwald began a solo career, releasing his solo debut, Bedtime Stories, in 1990. As with David & David's sole album, it was an album of deceptively laid-back pop; the calm production and subtle, memorable melodies hid the fact that Baerwald's characters were either inflicting or suffering from emotional pain. It was a triumph, winning raves from critics, but it sold very few copies. With his second album, 1993's Triage, Baerwald decided to have the music match the message, creating soundscapes that recalled a subdued, more pop-friendly Tom Waits. Again, the critical praise was substantial but the record sold even fewer copies than the first. A follow-up wouldn't be seen for nearly a decade, however; Baerwald took time out to work with other musicians and tweak his playing skills. He joined Sheryl Crow for her monumental Tuesday Night Music Club debut and was later nominated for a Golden Globe for Moulin Rouge's swan song, "Come What May." Finally, Baerwald bounced back with Here Comes the Folk Underground in 2002.

All For You
David Baerwald Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lucas Riley came to LA
From a dying English town
With his nineteen year old wife
Who swore she'd try to settle down
He tried to prove his love with money
When all she wanted was him at home
He came home tired every evening
She'd be waiting there alone

He'd say "Do you love me
Say you do
Is this like I always promised life to you
Do you love me
Say you do
'cause you know my angel
All I do I do for you"

One day while Lucas worked
She met a delicate young man
With the softest sweetest voice
And tender lovely hands
While Lucas Riley slept
His wife and lover met
Making love while Lucas Riley
Fell deeper into debt
He'd say "do you love me
Say you do
Is this like I always promised life to you
Do you love me
Say you do
'cause you know my angel
All I do
I do for you"

Lucas Riley met a man who said
"You've been working much too hard
Nobody understands you
Nobody sees the man you know you are
I have a little business
I admit it's a bit against the law
But if anything goes wrong
I can see you're not involved"
And he kept on thinking
He kept on saying
He'd say "do you love me
Say you do
Is this like I always promised life to you
Do you love me
Say you do

'cause you know my angel
All I do I do for you"

Overall Meaning

David Baerwald's song "All For You" tells the story of Lucas Riley who moved to Los Angeles from a dying town in England with his nineteen-year-old wife. Lucas tried to prove his love for his wife through materialistic possessions, but all she wanted was for him to be home with her. Lucas would come home exhausted from work, and his wife would be waiting for him, feeling lonely and neglected. Lucas constantly questioned whether his wife loved him and if their life was what he promised. He would say, "Do you love me? Say you do. Is this like I always promised life to you? Do you love me? Say you do. 'Cause you know, my angel, all I do, I do for you."

However, the story takes a turn when Lucas's wife meets a delicate young man with a soft voice and lovely hands while Lucas is at work. They begin an affair, and Lucas doesn't know. Lucas continues to work and strives to provide more for his wife, leading him to meet a man who offers him a job that is a bit against the law. Lucas keeps saying the same old phrase, "do you love me, say you do," but there is an underlying feeling of uncertainty and despair as he falls deeper into debt.

"All For You" portrays a story of unrequited love, loneliness, and the struggles of finding oneself in a new and unfamiliar environment. The song reflects on the unfortunate situations that arise when one's sole focus is on material possessions and not on the people they love.

Line by Line Meaning

Lucas Riley came to LA
Lucas Riley moved to Los Angeles

From a dying English town
He moved from a town in England that was experiencing economic hardship

With his nineteen year old wife
He moved with his wife who was nineteen years old

Who swore she’d try to settle down
Lucas’ wife promised to try and establish themselves in Los Angeles

He tried to prove his love with money
Lucas attempted to demonstrate his affection for his wife by spending money on her

When all she wanted was him at home
His wife just wanted him to be with her

He came home tired every evening
Lucas returned home exhausted every night

She’d be waiting there alone
His wife would be there by herself

He’d say "Do you love me Say you do Is this like I always promised life to you Do you love me Say you do 'cause you know my angel All I do I do for you"
Lucas would ask his wife if she loved him and if he was living up to the promises he made, and would then say that everything he did was for her

One day while Lucas worked
While Lucas was at his job one day

She met a delicate young man
His wife met a young man who was sensitive and refined

With the softest sweetest voice
This young man had a gentle, soothing way of speaking

And tender lovely hands
His hands were gentle and graceful

While Lucas Riley slept
While Lucas was sleeping

His wife and lover met
Lucas’ wife had an affair with her new love interest

Making love while Lucas Riley
So they made love while Lucas

Fell deeper into debt
Lucas’ financial situation became more dire

He’d say "do you love me Say you do Is this like I always promised life to you Do you love me Say you do 'cause you know my angel All I do I do for you"
Lucas would continue to ask if his wife loved him and if he was fulfilling his promises, and would reiterate that everything he did was for her

Lucas Riley met a man who said
Lucas encountered an individual who spoke to him

"You’ve been working much too hard
This person told Lucas he was exerting himself too much

Nobody understands you
The artist felt that no one comprehended Lucas’ situation

Nobody sees the man you know you are
This speaker believed that other people didn’t appreciate Lucas’ character

I have a little business
The singer touted a business he had access to

I admit it’s a bit against the law
This business was unlawful

But if anything goes wrong
However, if complications arise

I can see you’re not involved"
The singer reassured Lucas that he wouldn’t be blamed

And he kept on thinking He kept on saying He’d say "do you love me Say you do Is this like I always promised life to you Do you love me Say you do 'cause you know my angel All I do I do for you"
Lucas continued to ponder the state of his marriage and asked his wife if she loved him, and reflected that everything he did was for her

Contributed by Lucy V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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