You Can't Have Everything
Doris Day Lyrics


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Say there, if you are a vexed one,
A dreary, weary and perplexed one,
I've got trouble and he's got trouble,
And you're no better than the next one!
You will find your share of bliss
If you'll just remember this;

You can't have everything,
Be satisfied with the little you may get.
You can't have everything,
Don't envy neighbours or the fortunes that they get!

Live and laugh and listen,
Don't be greedy,
Help the needy,
And ya gotta get lucky, yes indeedy!

Rich man, poor man, beggar or king,
You just can't have everything.
So thank your stars above
For a song in your heart,
A penny in your pocket
And someone in your arms to love.

You can't have everything,
Be satisfied with the little you may get.
You can't have everything,
Don't envy neighbours or the fortunes that they get!

Live and laugh and listen,
Don't be greedy,
Help the needy,
And ya gotta get lucky, yes indeedy!

Rich man, poor man, beggar or king,
You just can't have everything.
So thank your stars above
For a song in your heart,




A penny in your pocket
And someone in your arms to love.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Doris Day's song You Can't Have Everything were released in 1941 and reflect a message of gratitude and contentment. The song begins with an acknowledgement of universal human struggles and the fact that everyone faces their share of problems. However, the lyrics gently suggest that one should not become envious of others or obsessed with acquiring more and more material possessions. The song argues that true happiness is found through living in the present moment, appreciating the simple things in life, and having a compassionate heart.


The lyrics speak to the idea that there is always something to be grateful for, even when life may seem tough. The song cautions against the peril of wanting too much and the misery that can arise from constantly comparing oneself to others, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a never-ending cycle of wanting more. The final verse is particularly poignant in its message - no matter our station in life, whether we are rich, poor, or somewhere in between, there are always things to be thankful for, from the song in our heart to the person we love.


Overall, Doris Day's You Can't Have Everything is a timeless reminder of the importance of being content with what we have while living a life imbued with kindness, laughter, and appreciation for the little things.


Line by Line Meaning

Say there, if you are a vexed one,
Hello there, if you're feeling troubled and upset,


A dreary, weary and perplexed one,
Feeling exhausted and confused about life,


I've got trouble and he's got trouble,
We all have challenges and difficulties to face,


And you're no better than the next one!
No one is exempt from life's struggles, we all face them equally,


You will find your share of bliss
But you can still find happiness and peace amidst the trouble and pain,


If you'll just remember this;
If you keep this in mind,


You can't have everything,
It's impossible to have everything you want,


Be satisfied with the little you may get.
So be happy with what you have, even if it's not everything,


Don't envy neighbours or the fortunes that they get!
And don't be jealous of what others have, or what they've achieved,


Live and laugh and listen,
Instead, live your life with joy, laughter, and empathy for others,


Don't be greedy,
And don't let greed consume you,


Help the needy,
Help those who are less fortunate than you are,


And ya gotta get lucky, yes indeedy!
And sometimes, you just have to be lucky too!


Rich man, poor man, beggar or king,
No matter who you are,


You just can't have everything.
You still can't have everything in life,


So thank your stars above
But be grateful for what you do have,


For a song in your heart,
Like a beautiful melody in your heart,


A penny in your pocket
A little bit of wealth,


And someone in your arms to love.
And someone special in your life to love.




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRANT MCLENNAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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