All My Life
Ella Fitzgerald with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra Lyrics


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All my life
I've been waiting for you
My wonderful one, I've begun
Living all my life

All my love
Has been waiting for you
My life is sublime, now that I'm
Living all my love

You seem so lovely, so far above me
I'm almost afraid to look
But I adore you; I pledge before you
A heart that's an open book

All my life
Hold me close to your heart




But all else above, hold my love
Darling, just hold my love

Overall Meaning

The song "All My Life" by Ella Fitzgerald and Teddy Wilson talks about how the singer has been waiting for their loved one all their life. They describe their love as "sublime" and express their desire to be close to their heart. The singer is almost intimidated by their partner's loveliness but professes their love without hesitation. In the last lines, the singer reminds their partner to hold their love above all else.


The lyrics of "All My Life" express pure and unconditional love. The singer talks about waiting for their loved one all their life, suggesting that they have been yearning for a soulmate. The expression "my life is sublime" conveys that the singer's life has been elevated by their love and the joy it brings. The phrase "hold my love" implies that the focus should be on love and not material things. The song's lyrics suggest that nothing else matters as long as they have each other.


Line by Line Meaning

All my life
For my whole existence on earth


I've been waiting for you
I eagerly anticipated meeting someone like you


My wonderful one, I've begun
My outstanding partner, I've initiated something special


Living all my life
Existing through the ups and downs


All my love
My complete affection


Has been waiting for you
Has been patiently waiting for a deserving recipient


My life is sublime, now that I'm
My existence is enlightened, now that I'm


Living all my love
Giving all my affection unconditionally


You seem so lovely, so far above me
You appear enchanting, so superior to me


I'm almost afraid to look
I'm almost intimidated to gaze closely


But I adore you; I pledge before you
But I cherish and admire you; I vow in front of you


A heart that's an open book
A heart that's transparent and honest


All my life
For my whole existence on earth


Hold me close to your heart
Embrace me tightly with your love


But all else above, hold my love
But, above everything else, cherish and protect my affection


Darling, just hold my love
My dearest, simply hold my heart and devotion




Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: SAMMY H. STEPT, SIDNEY D. MITCHELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@user-ug3hq2su6j

All my life
I've been waiting for you
My wonderful one
I've begun
Living all my life
All my love
Has been waiting for you
My life is sublime
Now that I'm
Giving all my love
You seem so lovely, so far above me
I'm almost afraid to look
But I adore you, I pledge before you
A heart that's an open book
All my life
Hold me close to your heart
But all else above
Hold my love
Darling, just hold my love



All comments from YouTube:

@leonardobrien

This is my personal fav song (and recording) of all time. I have no idea why this song is not more widely known / considered a 'standard'.

@ev_alex_

this is exactly me

@helevision

While searching for great Ella material I heard this magnificent piano solo. What a smooth style with gifted timing and choice of notes. With a little research I discovered the magnificent talent that was Teddy Wilson. Thanks for the post and listen to a solo work called Don' t Blame Me if you haven't already heard it.

@claeslantz2574

Teddys introduktion was one of his best pianosolos ever.

@miguelleiton3645

estupenda grabacion con un bajista que colma cualquier gusto..!!!!

@Honestdiscussion

1936 that's taking it back. Love how there's real music and musicians not pre-fabricated sounds and synth. It was real music not over polished to the point of losing the feeling behind it.

@rogerofford8601

Also a nice trumpet final chorus by the great underrated Frank Newton

@yvesfrancoisritmo

For me the high point of his magnificent recording. Only Joe Thomas and maybe Freddie Webster could come close to this.
Blake's clarinet (behind Ella) and Wilson's plano also impress..

@user-ug3hq2su6j

All my life
I've been waiting for you
My wonderful one
I've begun
Living all my life
All my love
Has been waiting for you
My life is sublime
Now that I'm
Giving all my love
You seem so lovely, so far above me
I'm almost afraid to look
But I adore you, I pledge before you
A heart that's an open book
All my life
Hold me close to your heart
But all else above
Hold my love
Darling, just hold my love

@nathanaviss6551

Best song ever!

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