If
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


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I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the gray skies to blue
If I had you

And I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
And I could start my life all anew
If I had you

I could climb the snow-capped mountains
I could sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side

I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothin' I couldn't do
If I had you

I could climb the very highest mountain
Or I could sail the mighty ocean wide
I could also cross the burnin' desert
If I had you by my side

I could be a king crowned or uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothin' I couldn't do
If I had you





If I had you

Overall Meaning

The song "If" by Frank Sinatra is a romantic ballad that expresses how the singer's life would be if he had the love of his life by his side. The lyrics suggest that having someone to love and be loved by can transform one's life, making everything better and brighter. The song is an ode to the power of love and how it can change everything.


The opening line of the song, "I could show the world how to smile," suggests that the singer's life would be filled with joy and happiness if he had the person he loves with him. He believes that he would be glad all the time, despite the challenges that life can bring. The following lines, "I could change the gray skies to blue / If I had you," further reinforce this sentiment. The singer believes that his love would be powerful enough to make all the bad things in the world disappear.


As the song continues, the lyrics explore the possibilities of what the singer's life could be like with his love by his side. He believes that he could leave his old life behind and start anew. He could climb mountains, sail oceans, and cross deserts if he had his love there to support him. The chorus repeats that there is nothing the singer couldn't do if he had the love of his life. He could be a king, humble, poor or rich, and he would still be able to achieve his dreams with his love by his side.


Overall, the song "If" by Frank Sinatra is a romantic ballad that expresses the power of love to transform one's life. The lyrics suggest that having someone to love and be loved by can make everything better and brighter. The singer believes that with his love, he could do anything and everything, and there would be no obstacles too great to overcome.


Line by Line Meaning

I could show the world how to smile
I am equipped with the ability to spread happiness and optimism to the world


I could be glad all of the while
I would always remain cheerful and joyful


I could change the gray skies to blue
I have the power to turn sadness into joy and despair into hope


If I had you
Only if I have your presence and support in my life


And I could leave the old days behind
I wouldn't have any regrets in letting go of the past


Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I wouldn't feel the need for the companionship of my friends anymore


And I could start my life all anew
I can begin a fresh chapter in my life without any baggage from the past


I could climb the snow-capped mountains
I am capable of accomplishing difficult tasks, like climbing mountains


I could sail the mighty ocean wide
I can explore unknown territories and overcome new challenges with ease


I could cross the burning desert
I can go through any situation, no matter how challenging or harsh it may be


If I had you by my side
Only if I have your love, support, and companionship throughout my journey


I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
I could live a life of abundance and happiness, without any materialistic possessions or conventional social status


Humble or poor, rich or renowned
My status, wealth, or social standing wouldn't matter as long as I am with you


There is nothin' I couldn't do
Everything seems achievable and attainable with the presence of my loved one


If I had you
Only if I have your love, care, and companionship throughout all the ups and downs of life




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sentric Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ted Shapiro, James Campbell, Reginald Connelly

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

Mark Blackburn

IF -- I'm hurting physically this night, and short-tempered (more than usual) and not ready to hear a man who was then my age (early 70s) trying to reach high notes on a 1971 pop song by 'Bread. But there he is, on Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio -- my all-time favorite singer. The scroll on my computer screen reads ” Frank Sinatra -- Dallas 87 – IF.”

And yes, there are moments on softer passages when The Voice tapers off to a whispery croak; he almost flubs one line of lyric and gracefully improvises – charming his 'live' audience in the process. It shouldn't 'work' as well as it does – captivating us. But it does, doesn't it?

Is it at YouTube? Yes. First offering this night, posted ten years ago and nearing 100K views.

Concerning the song Wiki says: IF [was] written by American singer-songwriter David Gates in 1971. Originally popularized by his group Bread, the song charted at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when released as a single in 1971 and number six in Canada. The song also spent three weeks at number one on the U.S. Easy Listening chart,[1] and one week at the top of the Canadian AC chart.[2]

In the U.S., Bread's version was the shortest song title to become a top ten hit until 1993, when Prince hit No. 7 with "7", only later matched by Britney Spears' No. 1 hit "3" in 2009.

"If" has been a perennial favorite at weddings (for example, as a first-dance song) ever since it was released.[3]

Thanks for sharing Frank Sinatra IF -- celebrated this night at Sinatra Family - Forum - "Favorite Sinatra song of the moment" https://sinatrafamily.com/forum/showthread.php/19118-Favorite-Frank-Sinatra-song-of-the-moment?p=1299712#post1299712



All comments from YouTube:

saintcruzin

Sinatra makes these songs come alive. He sings as if it all is happening to him. No one, even at this late stage, could interpret a lyric like Frank.

Domenic Vitanza

This song is so gorgeous and Frank brings the lyrics alive..he was the greatest singer in our generation
No other will come close..

operafan64

I saw Frank live in Oct. 1987, at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY. I remember him singing this and how incredibly moving and riveting it was. About 20,000 of us sat motionless, completely enthralled by what was happening on stage. Many were moved to tears, and the applause was explosive. It is what I remeber most about that concert. Thank you so much for posting this, which apparently took place during the same concert tour, about ten days after I saw him in NY.

Mark Blackburn

What a word picture you paint -- in keeping with the song itself. Thanks for sharing -- albeit "10 years ago."

Dave Castanon

Incredible breath control on the last note--especially considering that, at the time, the singer was in his 70's, maybe even in his 80's. But it IS Frank Sinatra, after all..

Lucas Carvalho

Also, we can't forget to mention he was a genuine chainsmoker. Pretty strong lungs.

RepriseFan

Even with his voice so diminished by age and smoking one thing you could always count on in his concerts was the impeccable orchestration.

Marco Grossi

But without his voice the orchestra was dead

Francis Albert

The voice was a little ragged by this point - but it just makes this gorgeous performance even more . poignant. A real heartbreaker of tune sung to perfection by FS - miss him

Francis Artanis

What a lovely song and the ending by Frank is sublime. Well done Maestro.

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