Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller was born on May 21, 1904, in New York City. He … Read Full Bio ↴Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller was born on May 21, 1904, in New York City. He learned to play piano at the age of 6, and within a few years was also learning the reed organ, string bass and violin. After dropping out of school at around age 15, he became an organist at the Lincoln Theatre in Harlem.

Waller's father, Edward, a baptist minister, was hopeful that his son would follow a religious calling instead of a career in jazz. However, the path to music became inevitable following the death of Waller's mother, Adeline, in 1920. Waller moved in with the family of pianist Russell B.T. Brooks, who introduced the youngster to James P. Johnson, founder of the stride school of jazz piano.

Until The Real Thing Comes Along
Fats Walker Lyrics

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I'd work for you, i'd even slave for you
i'd be a beggar or a knave for you (whatever that is)
and if that isn't love, it'll have to do
until the real thing comes along
I'd gladly move the earth for you
to prove my love, dear, and its worth for you
if that isn't love, it will have to do (gotta do)
until the real thing comes along

with all the words, dear, at my command
i just can't make you understand
i'll always love you, darling, come what may
my heart is yours, what more can i say?
(you want me to rob a bank? well i won't do it)
I'd sigh for you, yes, i'd even cry for you, yes
i'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
if that isn't love, well skip it, it'll have to do
until the real thing comes along
Listen baby
i'd even sigh for you, i'm 'bout ready to cry for you
i'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
if that isn't love, it'll have to do, baby, yes

until the real thing comes along
(here's the real thing, baby)

Overall Meaning

In "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," Fats Walker expresses his willingness to do whatever it takes to prove his love for his partner. He is ready to work hard for her, even if it means being a slave or a beggar. He would gladly move the earth to prove his love's worth and sincerity, and he would even tear the stars down from the skies for her. He is convinced that his feelings are genuine and that he will always love her, no matter what happens.

Despite his conviction, Fats Walker feels he can't make his beloved understand the depth of his feelings. He's frustrated that he can't find the right words to convey his emotions, but he still hopes she'll see how much he loves her. He concludes by stating that if he hasn't yet found the real thing, he's willing to make do with what he has until something more genuine comes along.

The song's lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, and they convey a strong sense of longing and desire. They touch on the idea that love can be complicated and challenging, and that sometimes it takes a while to find the right person.

Line by Line Meaning

I'd work for you, i'd even slave for you
I am willing to work and slave for you, showing my dedication.

i'd be a beggar or a knave for you (whatever that is)
I am willing to do anything, even acts considered bad, just to show my affection for you.

and if that isn't love, it'll have to do
If my actions are not enough to express my love, I'll still continue to do everything I can until love blossoms.

I'd gladly move the earth for you
I am willing to move the world for you to demonstrate my genuine love and prove just how much you mean to me.

to prove my love, dear, and its worth for you
I want to demonstrate my love for you and show my adoration for everything about you.

if that isn't love, it will have to do (gotta do)
If this isn't enough to prove that I am in love with you, then I will keep trying until it is enough.

with all the words, dear, at my command
Though I have extensive vocabulary and can express myself well, I still cannot convey just how deeply I am in love with you.

i just can't make you understand
Sadly, trying to explain just how truly in love I am with you is not enough for you to fully comprehend the depth of my passion.

i'll always love you, darling, come what may
I love you regardless of what happens and will continue to love you no matter the situation.

my heart is yours, what more can i say?
I love you completely and you have my full heart, and no more words can truly convey how much you mean to me.

(you want me to rob a bank? well i won't do it)
Even if you ask me to do something I view as ethically wrong or illegal, I won't do it as my love for you doesn't require such actions.

I'd sigh for you, yes, i'd even cry for you, yes
I am willing to show vulnerability and display my emotions to demonstrate just how deeply in love I am with you.

i'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
I am willing to do anything, no matter how impossible it may seem, to prove my love for you.

if that isn't love, well skip it, it'll have to do
If tearing the stars from the skies isn't enough to show my love, I'll find something else until my love is fully realized.

Listen baby
I want you to pay close attention to what I have to say.

i'd even sigh for you, i'm 'bout ready to cry for you
I'm so deeply in love with you, that even sighing isn't enough to express how I feel, and I'm almost moved to tears.

if that isn't love, it'll have to do, baby, yes
If my overwhelming emotions aren't enough to demonstrate my love for you, then I'll just keep trying with all my abilities available.

(here's the real thing, baby)
The depth of my love is hard to put into words but just know, you're experiencing the real thing, baby.

Contributed by Annabelle S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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