Her playing attracted the attention of bass player Ray Brown, who brought her into touch with influential teachers and producers. At the age of seventeen, she won a scholarship from the Vancouver Jazz Festival to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After three terms she moved to Los Angeles to study with Jimmy Rowles, with whom she also began to sing. In 1990, Krall relocated to New York. She is married to British musician Elvis Costello.
All Or Nothing At All
Diana Krall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Half a love never appealed to me
If your heart never could yield to me
Then, I'd rather have nothing at all
All or nothing at all
If it's love there ain't no in-between
Why begin and cry for something that might have been
Please don't put your lips so close to my cheek
Don't smile or I'll be lost beyond recall
The kiss in your eyes, the touch of your hand makes me weak
And my heart may grow dizzy and fall
And if I fell under the spell of your call
I would be caught in the undertow
So, you see, I've got to say no, no
All or nothing at all
Please don't put your lips so close to my cheek
Don't smile or I'll be lost beyond recall
The kiss in your eyes, the touch of your hand makes me weak
And my heart may grow dizzy and fall
And if I fell under the spell of your call
I would be caught in the undertow
So, you see, I've got to say no, no
All or nothing at all
In Diana Krall's version of "All or Nothing at All," the lyrics speak to a desire for complete commitment in a romantic relationship, rather than settling for half-hearted love. The singer expresses a preference for having nothing at all rather than only receiving part of their partner's love. The chorus emphasizes this sentiment, with the repeated line "all or nothing at all."
The second verse highlights the singer's fear of getting too close to their partner, knowing that it could lead to heartbreak if their feelings are not reciprocated fully. The word "undertow" in the following line is a nod to the danger of being pulled too far into an emotional relationship and losing oneself in the process. The singer ultimately decides to avoid this risk altogether, saying "So, you see, I've got to say no, no / All or nothing at all."
Line by Line Meaning
All or nothing at all
The singer requires complete commitment in their relationships.
Half a love never appealed to me
The singer does not accept relationships that lack full commitment and emotion.
If your heart never could yield to me
The singer is not interested in relationships where their partner cannot fully commit emotionally.
Then, I'd rather have nothing at all
The artist would rather not be in a relationship at all than be in one that lacks full commitment and emotion.
If it's love there ain't no in-between
There is no middle ground when it comes to love - either it is full commitment or nothing at all.
Why begin and cry for something that might have been
Starting a relationship that lacks commitment and emotion will only lead to heartbreak later on.
No, I'd rather have nothing at all
Again, the singer would rather not be in a relationship at all than be in one that lacks full commitment and emotion.
Please don't put your lips so close to my cheek
The physical closeness of intimacy might cause the artist to give in to their emotions, which they are trying to avoid.
Don't smile or I'll be lost beyond recall
The artist is avoiding any emotional connection that might pull them in to full commitment.
The kiss in your eyes, the touch of your hand makes me weak
Even small acts of intimacy can weaken the artist's resolve not to commit fully.
And my heart may grow dizzy and fall
The singer's emotions may become too intense and cause them to fall in love fully.
And if I fell under the spell of your call
If the artist gave in to their emotions, they would be lost in their love for their partner.
I would be caught in the undertow
The singer fears losing control of their emotions and being swept away by them.
So, you see, I've got to say no, no
The singer is trying to convince themselves and their partner that they cannot commit beyond what they are currently comfortable with.
All or nothing at all
The refrain is repeated to emphasize the singer's emphasis on full commitment or nothing at all.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Blackburn
Favorite 'live' performance of ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL : A song forever 'owned' by Sinatra, who introduced it in long ago 1939 -- and gave us the best-ever studio recording back in the late 60's (for his “Strangers In The Night” album). It always sounds to my ears like a Cole Porter tune (it's that good). But no – the song's tiny Wiki entry in its entirety states,
"All or Nothing at All" is a song composed in 1939 by Arthur Altman, with lyrics by Jack Lawrence.
Frank Sinatra's August 31, 1939[1] recording of the song became a huge hit in 1943, when it was reissued by Columbia Records during the 1942-44 musicians' strike.[2] The record topped the Billboard charts in 1943 during a 21-week stay.[3] A rendition of the song is used and sung by B.O. Skunk disguised as Sinatra in Tex Avery's 1948 animated cartoon, Little 'Tinker.
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Reminded of all this by YouTube sending my way, my favorite 'live' performance by Canada's other greatest gift to jazz. I'm partial to Diana's gifted supporting cast – especially the brilliant solo by Anthony Wilson. Pardon the aside but I'm a guitarist and Tony is playing my dream instrument, a Gibson “Byrdland” – circa 1959, created for Country-jazz giant Hank Garland: “priceless” -- but trading for upwards of 50 thousand dollars. First guitar purchase if I win the lottery in 2020!
From her wonderful 'Concert in Rio' DVD:
Thanks for sharing r3d3droid -- Celebrated this day at Sinatra Family - Forum - "Siriusly Sinatra" - MY FAVORITE VERSION, YOURS TOO? https://sinatrafamily.com/forum/showthread.php/50225-My-Favorite-Version-%28yours-too-%29?p=1284587#post1284587
Therese Hansen
I've been listening to Live In Paris for over twenty years. Incredible timeless jazz. Diana Krall and Anthony Wilson just magnificent.
Frank Iacono
These musicians playing this composition together are amazing!
Rynair
Anthony Wilson, what a solo., what a player. No technical bullshitting, just beautiful playing of wonderful lines.
Gispel
Love the way he hands off soloing to DK. Just caps off his great solo work . What a great combo this is.
Shivasavasana
I never tire of listening to this concert! Great musicians having a great time!
maurisal55
Diana at her best, with an excellent ensemble of jazz musicians (the guitarist, what a fine player!!!)
naziralh
The beauty in this performance, for me, is the trust and visible admiration each musician has for each soloist. The controlled free-fall of improvisation in the context of this performance requires the "if you go, we go" commitment of the group.
Manuel Valdez
Que gran cantante, aparte de ser una mujer muy hermosa,sensual,sin palabras inigualable " Diana krall!!
MrChrisbrose
I bought this DVD when it first came out. And I have watched it several times. I really like how the groove in the song changes a few times, like when Diane starts her solo and at the ending when goes into a Latin funk.
Leonardo Soto
genios musicales que nos hacen disfrutar de la buena música