All Or Nothing At All
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


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All or nothing at all
Half a love never appealed to me
If your heart, never could yield to me
Then I'd rather, rather have nothin' at all

All, or nothing at all
If it's love, there ain't no in-between
Why begin, then cry for somethin' that might have been?
No, I'd rather, rather have nothing at all

Oh, please don't bring your lips close to my cheek
Don't you smile or I'll be lost beyond recall
The kiss in your eyes, the touch of your hand makes me weak
And my heart, may grow very dizzy and fall

And if I fell under the spell of your call
I would be caught in the undertow
And so you see, I've got to say no, no
All or nothing at all





All or nothing at all

Overall Meaning

is a song about love and commitment. Frank Sinatra, the legendary crooner, sings about his preference for a love that is complete and total. He states that he does not want a half-hearted love because it does not appeal to him. If someone's heart cannot yield to him, then he would rather have nothing at all. This sentiment is reinforced in the chorus, where he declares that love is an all-or-nothing proposition. There can be no in-between when it comes to love.


The second verse sees Sinatra cautioning his lover not to get too close. He knows that if he succumbs to the allure of the moment and falls under her spell, he will be powerless against her. The imagery in this verse is powerful, with Sinatra painting a vivid picture of a man about to lose himself in the embrace of a woman. He talks about how her lips on his cheek, her smile, the kiss in her eyes and the touch of her hand can make him weak. He acknowledges that his heart may grow dizzy and fall. However, he also knows that he cannot give in to this temptation because it would simply be too risky.


This song is a classic, and it has stood the test of time. Its message is still as resonant today as it was back when Sinatra first recorded it. The lyrics are poignant and thought-provoking, while the music is evocative and memorable.


Line by Line Meaning

All or nothing at all
I only want complete devotion and commitment or nothing at all from you.


Half a love never appealed to me
I am not satisfied with just a fraction of your love, I need your full love and attention.


If your heart, never could yield to me
If you are not willing to give me your heart, I do not want anything from you.


Then I'd rather, rather have nothin' at all
I would rather have nothing from you than to settle for half-hearted love.


If it's love, there ain't no in-between
True love does not have grey areas, it is all or nothing.


Why begin, then cry for somethin' that might have been?
It is pointless to start a relationship if it will not be a wholehearted one and only cause pain in the end.


No, I'd rather, rather have nothing at all
I would rather be alone than be with someone who cannot fully love me.


Oh, please don't bring your lips close to my cheek
Please do not give me false affection, it will only confuse me.


Don't you smile or I'll be lost beyond recall
Your false smile will only make me want something that is not real and unattainable.


The kiss in your eyes, the touch of your hand makes me weak
Your gestures and attentions might make me want you more, but it would only hurt me in the end if it is not truly from the heart.


And my heart, may grow very dizzy and fall
My heart might fall for you, but it will not be true love if it is not reciprocated.


And if I fell under the spell of your call
If I succumb to your advances, it would only be temporary and not worth it in the end.


I would be caught in the undertow
I would be swept away by something that is ultimately unfulfilling and not real.


And so you see, I've got to say no, no
I have to say no to any half-hearted love, it is not worth the pain and heartbreak.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Mike


on The Lady Is A Champ

eight

She gets too hungry for dinner at eight
She can't eat late and stay up all night, because unlike society types, she has to get up in the morning.

She likes the theatre and never comes late
She cares more about seeing the play than being seen making an entrance.

She never bothers with people she'd hate
Her friends are friends, not social trophies.

Doesn't like crap games with barons or earls
While barrns and earls probably don't play craps, she associates with friends, not people to be seen with.

Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
She doesn't "slum", the practice of the rich in the 30's, when the song was written, of touring poor neighborhoods dressed in rich clothes to "tut, tut" about the deplorable conditions, and congratulate each other for "caring about the poor"

Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
Doesn't trade gossip for acceptance among an in-crowd


She likes the free, fresh wind in her hair
She cares more about how her hair feels than conforming with current hair fashions

Hates California, it's cold and it's damp
Since most of California is noticeably warmer and / or drier than New York, where the play the song was written for is set, this is probably a facetious excuse to like what she likes.


And she won't go to Harlem in Lincoln's or Ford's
Another reference to slumming, but facetious, since Lincolns and Fords were middle-class, not luxury brands when the lyric was written

Anonymous


on Try a Little Tenderness

Here are the correct lyrics

Try A Little Tenderness - Frank Sinatra - Lyrics

Oh she may be weary
Women do get wearied
Wearing that same old shabby dress
And when she’s weary
You try a little tenderness

You know she’s waiting
Just anticipating things she’ll may never possess
While she is without them
Try just a little bit of tenderness

It’s not just sentimental
She has her grieve and her care
And the words that soft and gentle
Makes it easier to bear
You wont regret it
Women don't forget it
Love is their whole happiness
And it’s all so easy
Try a little tenderness

Musical Interlude

And, it’s all so easy
Try a little tenderness

Daniel


on The Way You Look Tonight

I met Frank Jr. in Las Vegas, a real gentleman. RIP you both.

Giorgi Khutashvili


on Theme from New York, New York

)))

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