I'll String Along With You
Dick Powell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All my life I've waited for an angel
But no angel ever came along
Then one happy afternoon I met you
And my heart began to sing a song
Somehow, I mistook you for an angel
But now I'm glad that I was wrong

You may not be an angel

'Cause angels are so few
But until the day that one comes along
I'll string along with you

I'm looking for an angel
To sing my love song to
And until the day that one comes along
I'll sing my song to you

For every little fault that you have
Say, I've got three or four
The human little faults you do have
Just make me love you more

You may not be an angel
But still I'm sure you'll do
So until the day that one comes along
I'll string along with you

For every little fault that you have
Say, I've got three or four
The human little faults you do have, honey
Just make me love you more

You may not be an angel
But still I'm sure you'll do

So until the day that one comes along
I'll string along with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dick Powell's I'll String Along with You are about finding love and companionship, even if it isn't perfect. The singer explains that they have been waiting for an angel, but one has never come. However, they are content with being with their partner, even though they know their partner is not an angel. In fact, the singer admits to mistaking their partner for an angel at first, but they realize that their partner's human "little faults" make them love them even more. The lyrics capture a sentiment of accepting imperfection in relationships and finding joy in the company of another person.

The first stanza of the lyrics establishes the singer's longing for an angel, which represents a perfect partner, but the second stanza reveals that the singer is happy to be with their current partner. The third stanza emphasizes the partner's human flaws, which are seen as endearing rather than detracting from their worth. The final stanza sums it up by reiterating that even though the partner is not an angel, they are a suitable companion until an angel does come along.

Overall, the lyrics of I'll String Along with You are sentimental and demonstrate a sense of contentment and acceptance of imperfections in a romantic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

All my life I've waited for an angel
I have been searching for the perfect person to enter my life for a long time.

But no angel ever came along
I have not found someone who fits my unrealistic standards.

Then one happy afternoon I met you
I finally found someone who caught my attention and made me happy.

And my heart began to sing a song
My emotions were stirred up and I felt a burst of happiness.

Somehow, I mistook you for an angel
I initially thought you were perfect and had no faults.

But now I'm glad that I was wrong
I now realize that my expectations were not realistic and I am happy with who you are.

You may not be an angel
You have flaws and imperfections, like any human.

'Cause angels are so few
It is difficult to find someone who fits my unrealistic standards.

But until the day that one comes along
Until I find someone who perfectly fits my standards, I am happy being with you.

I'll string along with you
I am willing to stay with you and continue our relationship, even though you have faults.

I'm looking for an angel
I am still searching for someone who perfectly fits my standards.

To sing my love song to
I want to express my affection to this perfect person I am searching for.

And until the day that one comes along
Until I find the perfect person, I will still share my love with you.

I'll sing my song to you
I will express my love and affection to you, even though you have faults.

For every little fault that you have
I acknowledge that you have faults and imperfections.

Say, I've got three or four
But compared to your faults, I have faults of my own.

The human little faults you do have
Your faults are natural and common among all humans.

Just make me love you more
Your faults and imperfections make me appreciate and love you even more.

But still I'm sure you'll do
Even though you have faults, I believe our relationship will still work.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Fintage House Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL DUBIN, HARRY WARREN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@MikeBlitzMag

3y↑27

Dick Powell was the ultimate Renaissance man. He did it all, and he did it far better than most. Grateful that so much of his legacy has survived.

@OLD_SOUL1900

13w↑1

Love Ginger and her unique, stellar voice...she's so sweet and such a superb actress, I add!😉At 2:03 she gets close, adoringly looking at his face, pleading that she sees his value and worth. At 2:08 she closes her eyes and nodds her head, assuring him that she loves him and "perfect" means nothing. Their voices blend beautifully. Oh 2:20, Ginger's deeper tone...😚 Dick Powell, what a voice! It's so cute how he is tickled pink and sort of giddy when Ginger sings with him...😗 He IS serenading an angel.😉

@richardhari8038

5y↑31

You may not be an angel? Well, Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers are as close to sounding like two angels as anyone can. What a great song.

@millermark445

2y↑5

It'a good thing that moviegoers during the Great Depression had class entertainment like this to get them through it.

@pinkieldred

13y↑5

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one..? Then I come into U tube and find there are so many like me ....listening to the miracles! Look at the comments here ...yes there still are many of us that appreciate ..."The Miracles"

@keleigh97

14y↑15

Ginger comes to the rescue once again. She is marvelous. Her dress is lovely. I always wanted to be able to wear clothes as well as Ginger does but I could never pull it off. She new how to wear clothes to their and hers best advantage. Thanks for the video.

@davidahlstrom7533

6y↑50

Beautiful song. No one could put a ballad over like Dick Powell. A classic Warren and Rubin song, and the great musical arrangements of the 1930s (easy on the drums, cymbals and horns).

@DigitalDiscusVideo

40w

Warren & Dubin song orchestrated by Ray Heindorf

@2dadesert

12y↑44

Ginger was a fun, classy lady. Miss her and many others from that great era. I was blessed with the experience of seeing her many times along with her contemporaries like Mary Martin, Kaye Ballard and Ruby Keeler. Great gals who I knew many years after the limelight and glory; not as a personal friend but as the guy who got to ask them about the temperature of their steaks and to offer pepper on their salads... Great table talk in those days!

@khussein6409

1y↑3

beautiful!

@richie6377

11y↑11

What an absolutely gorgeous scene with two gorgeous talents. Ginger was the best of the best and Dick is just so wonderful. This brings tears to my eyes. Thank you.

@dholm5058

I love DICK POWELL AND GINGER ROGERS SINGING. TO EACH OTHER!

@NealKanter

38w

Ginger's a national treasure that Kansas City never mentions.

@Brandibb

3y↑2

Its weird but I love the way she says, "quiet, please."

@enaj78

14y↑7

Ginger Rogers had one of the most beautiful shapes in Hollywood. Maybe all the dancing.

@carolbradshaw6105

8y↑16

I loved this film!!! Great cast of early Warner Bros stock players.

@Dan-vt3nk

13w↑1

Awesome!

@richardgornalle4536

5y↑8

Loved this clip. This man could sing really well. Terrific song. Like to see the movie.

@brucekogan7980

5y↑13

That's some beautiful music these two are making.

@jesseeriehl2503

5y↑7

Dick Powell was sooo cute

@nbianco

14y↑4

This verse if this song is the same basic melody that Harry Warren and Al Dubin used the following year for "I'm Going Shopping With You" from Goldiggers of 1935, which was also sung by Dick Powell. Compare: "You may not be an angel, 'cause angels are so few, but until the day that one comes along, I'll string along with you." With: "Whenever you go shopping, to buy a dress that's new, Honey I'll keep and eye on the dresses you try on, 'cause I'm going shopping with you"

@wmtoward

Yes, your comparison is discerning.

@samarroon

14y↑7

She was the best. a really great dramatic actress too. she could do it all. very rare

@austingordon4527

4y↑6

The past so so beautiful in present I rather Love in 1935

@KerrieGrant

14y↑9

@keleigh97 I totally agree. Arlene Croce said it exactly right when she wrote Ginger had "one of the most elegant dancer's bodies imaginable." Everything looked good on her, and she wore her clothes with such style. And she looked so good in hats. And was so photogenic. And was so talented. Quite a lady!!!

@peterfish4016

3y↑2

I love this song, beautiful

@pauljung3534

2y↑1

"You may not be an angel.. but still I'm sure, you'll do..."

@esmeephillips5888

4y↑10

This dates from the 'overlap' years when Ginger staked her claim as a singer and comedienne in her own right as well as Fred's best partner, pitching her dramatic flair into making the integrated musical a reality.

Amusing to look at these two soppy warblers and wonder if anyone, even themselves, dreamed how they would end up. Powell, Ruby Keeler's eagerly boyish swain and Busby Berkeley's marionette, morphed into the definitive Philip Marlowe in 'Murder My Sweet', and a big cheese as director and TV producer. Ginger grew into the greatest triple-threat lady Hollywood ever knew, and an Oscar winner.

Btw, the screenplay was the first with an (uncredited) input by Julius Epstein, one of the twins who were the principal writers of 'Casablanca'.

@Agorante

9y↑31

A lot of talent on that stage. Powell quit as a singer and became the leading hard boiled detective in films then he became one of the top producers in early television. Ginger Rogers was'nt exactly chopped liver herself. She was most famous probably as a dancer but she also sang and was a very successful comedienne in a series of films. Then she moved into serious drama and won an Oscar.

I'm sure there must have been another actress who covered as many bases but I can't think of one.

@KerrieGrant

9y↑12

Prior to this movie I only knew Powell from the Dick Powell Zane Grey tv series from the late 50s. I had no idea he had such a nice voice. Powell was enormously talented and also astute enough to know his success with musicals was waning, so he switched gears and went into drama and producing, being very successful at both.

And yes, Ginger was multi-talented. She was a very instinctive actress with great athletic and dancing ability. Also she had artistic skills as well. I've seen some of her artwork and was quite impressed. What I loved about her acting the most was her use of facial expressions. I've often thought she would have been a great silent screen actress as she didn't need to speak a word for you to know what she felt.

Thanks for your comment.

@rubbrhog

8y↑7

Your phrase 'Ginger Rogers wasn't exactly chopped liver herself' made me laugh....!

@esmeephillips5888

4y↑3

@@KerrieGrant Yes, it's a paradox that so many actresses, singers and dancers needed the advent of sound to shine. Ginger was no exception, yet she could tell a story with her face alone, like Gish, Swanson or Pickford.

@MariaPerez-zm6hj

Two great talented artists. Love them both. This is a cute film and it has great songs. Highly recommend.

@joesphbegley3088

2y↑2

Marvellous !

@Budlynn

7y↑9

This song is so beautiful

@jayjaykind123

11y↑24

Thankyou so much for uploading , Ginger looks absolutely gorgeous here as she always does , I love the way she looks into his eyes! She was in my opinion the greatest actress :)

@frissy61

14y↑2

LOVE Dick Powell - Ginger is beautiful, as always. Listening to him on Sirius in some wonderful old detective shows - what charisma and romance!!

@KerrieGrant

12y↑5

It is REALLY neat that you met Ginger and the other actresses of her time. I hope she was as nice and gracious to you as she was reported to be to those she encountered. She was such a talented lady. I would have loved to have met her. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

@astaire8

15y↑2

This is lovely - what memories it brings back to me of my dear mother, Ellie. Thank you!

@barbrasgirl8

15y↑1

Oh this is wonderful. A chance to realise how beautiful and talented Ginger was. Thank you.

@marcelomelobarretodearaujo5516

4y↑2

Very very beautiful.

@Gchord86

12y↑8

American culture at its finest

@kerimac100

14y↑1

I remember in the days before we had TV in New Zealand, staring at the radio as we listened to something (?) starring Dick Powell as Richard Diamond.......

@Muirmaiden

5y↑3

Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers were romantically involved for a time (Lew Ayres, whom Rogers married in 1934, was vying for her affection with Powell at one point). Powell was quite the ladies' man and it wasn't unusual for him to romance his leading ladies off-screen (Mary Brian, Rogers, Marion Davies, Rosemary Lane, Joan Blondell, to whom he was married from 1936 to 1944, and he managed to engage in an affair with Ruby Keeler once her jealous husband Al Jolson was out of the picture). It would be nice if this film would be officially released on DVD.

@frissy61

14y↑2

@kerimac100 - How fortunate you were to have that radio experience - letting your imagination fly with the help of such wonderful writing (by Blake Edwards) and acting by Dick Powell - love him!

@kareng7803

5y↑3

Love this movie and this song! Sure wish they had added a dance at the end of the number. Maybe they weren't aware of the tremendous talent of Ginger Rogers at the time?

@walterwheeler5465

11y↑2

Very entertaining. Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers were very talented.

@greytemp

15y↑4

I enjoy these oldies. Keep them coming.

@robertschwartz4810

4y↑2

What a great singer.

@JudgeJulieLit

14y↑3

@KerrieGrant Ginger's panache (e.g., sartorial) inspired George Gershwin's lyric "The way you wear your hat, / The way you hold your tea . . . [and The way you dance 'til three] . . . / The memory of all that -- / No, no, they can't take that away from me!"

@normaflint9415

8y↑1

WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD - LISTENING TO
DICK POWE:LL - WITH MY PARENTS... HAPPY DAYS!!

@joeok8641

5y↑2

Harry Warren-Al Dubin....fabulous songwriters. Like a lot of Dick Powell songs, they were done more sprightly and luscious by Al Bowlly.

@SuperIliad

5y↑2

There is a wonderful Peter Skellern version of this lovely piece. Another Warren and Dubin gem!

@kerimac100

14y↑1

@KerrieGrant --Cheers, Kerrie! Richard Diamond was a detective & I loved him desparately (aged about 10). When I discovered DickPowell was as handsome as I'd imagined & could sing, I was over the moon! Kerry.

@dennishillback1259

7y↑3

l lovethis video what wonderful memories of Two wonderful stars,

@genevitale7974

9y↑4

I sung this song in Harry Warren Revue. He wrote so many gems!

@maureenreeder4861

11y↑5

Love this. So beautiful.

@kevbow33

11y↑3

I enjoyed this film clip very much. The song "I'll String along with You," is a particular favourite of mine. Here in New Zealand that song was one of the very first songs which Mavis Rivers recorded for the TANZA label in 1949. She went on to become well known in the United States between 1959 and 1980. Thanks for posting.

@michaeloleary1867

2y↑1

Love it!

@chloe10103

11y↑3

Two of my favourite people <3

@orchardist6559

4y↑1

Thank you for sharing.

@allisonyoung4285

Great entertaining!,💯👍

@60dirk

14y↑1

Fabulous!

@Pamcakes1981

4y↑2

ENJOYABLE <3

@taylordowning2533

6y↑4

Thanks for posting this. I wonder why Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers didn't do more films together

@Muirmaiden

5y↑2

Ginger did dramatic films and comedies as well as musicals, but Powell was typecast as a crooner at this point in his career. Most of the Astaire/Rogers films were made at RKO; Powell was under contract at Warner Brothers until 1938.

@pauljung3534

43w

"Angels.. know the chords of our instrument." ~ Paul Jung

"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined to strengthen each other, to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories." ~ George Eliot

"Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.” ~ Rumi

@katandbaby

14y↑2

i read somewhere that it took 27 takes for ginger to pickup her cue in the part where she rescues buddy

@LeanUmbers

9y↑1

A delicious song written by Harry Warren (music) & Al Dubin (lyrics).

@Redtash1

Yes the cafe one. Thank you

@katharinerosenstiel7907

9y↑11

I don't understand how this movie still hasn't had an official dvd release :-( who on earth owns the rights does anyone know?!

@weikko79

Warner Home Video has the rights.

@katharinerosenstiel7907

7y↑1

still no release either way!!

@taylordowning2533

This was a great film

@dkirk20

That little boy of mine

@KerrieGrant

14y

@kerimac100 That's really cool. I didn't know he did radio. I'm going to see if I can hunt down some episodes. Thanks for sharing. What a voice he has!!!

@jsep99

11y↑1

this culture

@JudgeJulieLit

14y

@nbianco , lol, how efficient! Recycling tunes . . . As over the decades, Bob Hope customized new lyrics to "Thanks for the Memory."

@joeok8641

8y↑1

Written by Harry Warren & Al Dubin.

@dholm5058

12y↑3

Terrific! Ginger and Dick have great chemistry,even better than Ginger and Fred and Dick and Ruby!!! They make a great couple and the Al Dubin and Harry Warren usic seals the deal!!!!

@gill426

6y↑2

Thomas Hendricks Really? I was just watching this thinking they really don't match and to me it didn't click. I like her much better with Freddie.

@KerrieGrant

15y↑1

I don't believe it is, and this copy was given to me recorded from TCM.

@KerrieGrant

15y↑1

" Twenty Million Sweethearts" (1934)

@christinecremen4151

2y↑1

Where can I watch this movie?

@katandbaby

14y↑2

is there a dvd release of this movie?

@KerrieGrant

15y

Hmmm! That's an easy one. Though the "collar" is cut quite low, I've had the advantage of seeing a photo of new shoes attached to non-cankled power-gams, if you know what I mean.

@scottleft3672

Jack Payne sent me.

@candw87

13y

@KerrieGrant Explique Je ne compris pas

@davidahlstrom7533

6y↑2

That's Warren and Dubin, sorry.

@DanteTimberwolf

3y↑1

Everyone in this video is dead................

@JosefKKafka

5y↑2

What a back-handed compliment = You'll do until someone better comes along. Phew. She should have slapped him.

@almeggs3247

Until I saw this didn’t realize DO could sing. I guess they all had to be versatile
But now it’s all political and racial

@DevonDandy

8y↑1

Talented performers indeed, but it's a bit of a strange lyric methinks. It is a bit insulting or at least patronising. It is really saying "You may not be much cop but I'll spend time with you until someone better shows up." At that point presumably the girl gets dumped. She could be forgiven for slapping his face and walking off.