Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio (30 March 1913 – 6 February 2… Read Full Bio ↴Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio (30 March 1913 – 6 February 2007), was an American singer and one of the more successful hit-makers of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Laine has had worldwide sales of over 250 million disks, and has earned 21 gold records. Originally a rhythm and blues influenced jazz singer, his energetic, passionate style has led some to consider him the first of the blue-eyed soul singers. Eventually he expanded to such varied genres as popular standards, gospel, folk, country, rock 'n' roll, and a hard-driving (and slightly campy) form of western/Americana.
... Throughout the 1950s, Laine enjoyed a second career singing the title songs of Hollywood films and television shows, including: Gunfight At OK Corral, 3:10 To Yuma, Bullwhip, and Rawhide. His rendition of the title song for Mel Brooks' 1974 movie Blazing Saddles won an Oscar nomination for Best Song, and his recording of "Rawhide" for the television series of the same name has become a classic of the genre.

Nobody but You
Frankie Laine 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 "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons are about a lover's unfulfilled desire to give their partner the finer things in life due to their financial struggles. It highlights the frustration and sadness that comes with not being able to provide for someone they love.

The first verse implies how difficult it is to face financial difficulties, and the singer acknowledges the unfortunate reality of their situation. They talk about how they hope to achieve success and reach their prime someday, but for now, they can only offer their time and love.

However, the second verse is more optimistic, suggesting hope for a better future. The singer encourages their partner to dream and scheme with them, and they will eventually find happiness and everything they have always dreamed of. The singer also reassures their partner that they will wait for them, even as they struggle to make ends meet, emphasizing their dedication and love.

Overall, the song is a poignant expression of love in difficult times, highlighting how the power of love can surpass any material possessions. It is a tender and heartfelt sentiment that emphasizes the value of love and patience in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being poor is difficult and exhausting

It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
Being poor is not amusing, it feels like a curse

My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
My luck has been terrible and it may become worse

Who knows, some day I will win too.
Perhaps I will be lucky one day

I'll begin to reach my prime.
I will start to get lucky

Now though I see what our end is,
I now understand where we are headed

All I can spend is just my time.
I don't have enough money to buy you anything

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
I cannot provide you with anything other than my love

That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Love is the only thing I have in abundance

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
Let's think about and plan our future together

We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Together we will achieve happiness and all that you desire

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
I want to see you at your best

Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I want to give you the finest things

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
Until I can give you everything you deserve

Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
Good things take time and effort

You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
You have to work for what you want

But I am willing to wait, dear,
I am willing to be patient, my love

Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
I will never forget about you

You have a lifetime before you.
You have your whole life ahead of you

I'll adore you, come what may.
I will always love you

Please don't be blue for the present,
Don’t be sad for the time being

When it's so pleasant to hear you say
When I am pleased to hear you speak

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
All I can offer you is my love

That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Love is the only thing I have in abundance

Dream awhile, scheme awhile
Let's think about and plan our future together

We're sure to find
Together we are certain to discover

Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
True happiness and all your desires

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
I want to see you at your best

Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I want to give you the finest things

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
Until I can give you everything you deserve

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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