I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Fabian Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from
simply rotten to something worse
Who knows, some day I will win too.
I'll begin to reach my prime.

Now though I see what our end is,
All I can spend is just my time.

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find

Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.

Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
But I am willing to wait, dear,
Your little mate, dear, will not forget.

You have a lifetime before you.
I'll adore you, come what may.

Please don't be blue for the present,
When it's so pleasant to hear you say

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find

Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.





Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Fabian's song "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" convey a sense of hardship and financial struggle, but also a steadfast determination to provide love and happiness to the beloved person. The singer reflects on the difficulties of being broke and considers it a curse rather than a joke. However, there is a glimmer of hope expressed as the luck begins to change, although it is described as going from simply rotten to something worse.


The singer acknowledges that their current situation limits their ability to provide material possessions, stating that all they can give is their time. Despite this limitation, they express a desire for the recipient to dream and scheme for a better future, believing that they will eventually find happiness and fulfill all the things they have always wanted.


The lyrics also convey a sense of patience and commitment to the beloved person, as the singer is willing to wait and promises not to forget them. They assure the person that they have their whole lifetime ahead of them and that they will always adore them. The song ends with a repetition of the sentiment that, until a lucky day comes when they can provide more, all they can offer is love.


Line by Line Meaning

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
It is extremely difficult to be financially struggling, my dear.


It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
This is not a funny matter, my dear, it is a dreadful misfortune.


My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
My fortunate circumstances are shifting, they have gone from being merely unfavorable to becoming even more dire.


Who knows, some day I will win too. I'll begin to reach my prime.
Perhaps one day, I will also experience success and start to reach the best stage of my life.


Now though I see what our end is, All I can spend is just my time.
However, now I understand the eventual outcome of our situation, and the only thing I have to offer is my time.


I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
I am unable to provide you with material possessions, my love. Love is the only thing I possess in abundance, my dear.


Dream awhile, scheme awhile, We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Let us dream and plan for a while, and we will surely discover the happiness and perhaps even all the things you have longed for.


Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
How I wish to see you looking elegant, my love. Woolworth cannot sell you diamond bracelets, my dear.


Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love.
Until that fortunate day arrives, which you are well aware of, my dear. I am only able to offer you love.


Rome wasn't built in a day, kid. You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
Great achievements take time, my dear. You must be willing to exert effort to obtain what you desire, my dear.


But I am willing to wait, dear, Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
However, I am patient, my love. Your devoted partner will remember and appreciate your loyalty.


You have a lifetime before you. I'll adore you, come what may.
You have your whole life ahead of you, my dear. I will always love and cherish you, no matter the circumstances.


Please don't be blue for the present, When it's so pleasant to hear you say
Please do not be sad during this moment, as it brings me joy to hear you say


I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
I am unable to provide you with material possessions, my love. Love is the only thing I possess in abundance, my dear.


Dream awhile, scheme awhile, We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Let us dream and plan for a while, and we will surely discover the happiness and perhaps even all the things you have longed for.


Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
How I wish to see you looking elegant, my love. Woolworth cannot sell you diamond bracelets, my dear.


Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love.
Until that fortunate day arrives, which you are well aware of, my dear. I am only able to offer you love.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Ginny Jackson-Pownell

Loved when they had more brass instruments in that time, but this was probably more up my dad's alley (truthfully). His favorite song was "Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darrin!! I was born in 1953. Dad also loved (as did I) Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass, Glenn Miller, etc... Great song Victor xx

sunryse111

You came into this world about two years before the rock n roll revolution. You've lived through the best musical time ever!!!

Ginny Jackson-Pownell

@sunryse111 My brother was 4 years older than I, so I also got inundated with The Ventures, The Chantays, Jan & Dean (plus all the beach music) from him, and my friends were listening to old Motown before British Invasion , then Chicago Transit Authority ("Chicago") which had a lot of brass, then Moody Blues (My favorites)! Went to college in '71 with an 8-track tape player ...lol !! Time flies Victor my friend ;) xx

Lydia Barragan

Nice up beat song! With true meaning. Diamonds are nice but they can''t give you love.

sunryse111

You're right, Lydia. Only another human can give you real, meaningful love.

Lydia Barragan

@sunryse111You my friend sound very human. Thanks for being you!

sunryse111

@Lydia Barragan Wow! Thank you, Lydia (blush!)

Lydia Barragan

@sunryse111 seriously, you always give very educated and classy comments. I appreciate you saying the nice words. Very rare now a days...

sunryse111

@Lydia Barragan Thank you, Lydia. I try to choose my words carefully. I'm happy that it's appreciated. xx

1 More Replies...

USMC Veteran

Sounds great, people were crazy about Fabian. A little before my time, I was born in 1955, started to listening to rock n roll around 1965.✌ Victor.

More Comments

More Versions