An actress, singer, talk show host, and author, the multi-talented Reese first started singing in church in her hometown of Detroit when she was six years old. By the age of 13, she was touring with gospel great Mahalia Jackson; then, at 18, she formed the Meditation Singers and became the first performer to bring gospel music to the casinos of Las Vegas. Reese expanded her musical repertoire as a vocalist with the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and began recording albums, with such hits as "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me" in the 1950s. She appeared extensively as a guest on the top television variety series, logging more than 20 appearances in one year on The Ed Sullivan Show on the CBS Television Network. Reese was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music in 1987.
Tapping into her other skills, she was host of a television talk show in 1969-1970, then began guest-starring in such series as Sanford and Son, The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. She starred in the CBS Network series Charlie & Co. and The Royal Family. Reese's current projects include a new album based on her 27-city tour with her revue, "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues," as well as song on the Touched By An Angel Soundtrack. Her best-selling autobiography, "Angels Along the Way," is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Reese also starred in the telefilms Emma's Wish, with Joanna Kerns, and The Secret Path, with Ossie Davis.
That's All
Della Reese Lyrics
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I find out I'm wrong, when I thought I was right
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
I could say day, and you'd say night
tell me it's black when I know that it's white
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
I could leave but I won't go
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
but why does it always seem to be
me looking at you, you looking at me
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
Turning me on, turning me off,
making me feel like I want too much
living with you's just putting me through it all of the time
running around, staying out all night
taking it all instead of taking one bite
living with you's just putting me through it all of the time
I could leave but I won't go
it'd be easier I know
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
but why does it always seem to be
me looking at you, you looking at me
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
Truth is I love you
more than I wanted to
there's no point in trying to pretend
there's been no-one who
makes me feel like you do
say we'll be together till the end
I could leave but I won't go
it'd be easier I know
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
so why does it always seem to be
me looking at you, you looking at me
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
Just as I thought it was going alright
I find out I'm wrong when I thought I was right
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
I could say day, you'd say night
tell me it's black when I know that it's white
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
That's all
The song "That's All" by Della Reese is a heart-wrenching ballad that speaks of a love that is always out of balance. The singer starts by describing how she thought everything was going well until she finds out she was wrong. She wonders why it always has to be like this, why her partner cannot see things the way she does. It is always black and white with no middle ground - she feels as though they cannot ever be on the same page. Despite all of this, she admits that she still loves him and is willing to stay, even though it is hurting her.
The chorus repeats the central theme of the song - it is always the same, and it is just a shame. The singer is caught in a cycle of being turned on and off, of wanting too much from her partner, and of feeling like she is never enough for them. The relationship seems to be a constant battle, and the pain of it is suffocating her. But she cannot bring herself to leave because the love she has for him is all-encompassing.
"That's All" is a poignant reminder of the complexity of love and how it can leave us feeling both euphoric and miserable at the same time. It speaks to anyone who has been caught in a toxic relationship and who struggles to break free from the cycle of love and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Just as I thought it was going alright
I believed everything in this relationship was going great and according to plan.
I find out I'm wrong, when I thought I was right
I was mistaken in my beliefs about this relationship, and I am now aware that I was incorrect.
s'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
This cycle of misunderstanding and disappointment in my relationship is predictable and disappointing.
I could say day, and you'd say night
No matter what I say, you always find a way to contradict it.
tell me it's black when I know that it's white
You often try to convince me that the opposite is true, even when it's obvious that it's not.
I could leave but I won't go
I have considered leaving this relationship, but I am not ready to do so just yet.
though my heart might tell me so
While my emotions are leading me to want to leave, I am not making a decision based purely on feelings.
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
I am numb to my own emotions because of the constant stress this relationship causes me.
but why does it always seem to be
I cannot understand why this situation is always the same.
me looking at you, you looking at me
We are stuck in a pattern of staring at each other without any progress or growth in our relationship.
Turning me on, turning me off,
You have the power to change my emotions and attraction to you at will.
making me feel like I want too much
I often feel unreasonable for wanting more out of this relationship than what is being offered.
living with you's just putting me through it all of the time
Being in a relationship with you is always a source of stress and difficulty for me.
running around, staying out all night
You are not fully committed to this relationship and instead prioritize other activities over our time together.
taking it all instead of taking one bite
You are taking everything from me without giving anything back, instead of compromising and meeting me halfway.
Truth is I love you
Despite all of these issues, I truly do love you.
more than I wanted to
My feelings for you are intense and overpowering, even if I hadn't planned on loving you this much.
there's no point in trying to pretend
I cannot deny my feelings for you or the issues we face in our relationship.
there's been no-one who makes me feel like you do
No one else has ever affected me emotionally the way you do.
say we'll be together till the end
I want (and hope) that we will be together for a long time despite our issues.
That's all
The song has come to an end, but the relationship's issues will continue unless we can find a way to break the cycle.
Contributed by Lucy B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.