Alfie
Hoffs Susanna Lyrics
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Is it just for the moment we live
What's it all about when you sort it out, Austin
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind
And if only fools are kind, Austin
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
What will you've learned on an old golden rule
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Austin
You know there's something much more
Something even nonbelievers can believe in
I believe in love, Austin
Without true love we just exist, Austin
Until you find love you've missed you're nothing, Austin
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Austin
Austin
In the song "Alfie" by Susanna Hoffs, the lyrics "What's it all about, Austin" repeat several times throughout the song. The persona in the song is questioning what life is about and whether it's worth trying to find meaning in it. The person getting addressed as "Austin" in the song is likely a metaphorical representative of everyone who is living life as it comes.
The persona is asking whether people are meant to take more than they give, or they are meant to be kind. In the next line, they argue that if only fools are kind, it may actually be wise to be cruel. This insinuates that in a world where kindness is viewed as a weakness, it may be smart to act indifferent to avoid being taken advantage of. The persona then goes on to question what one will learn if life belongs only to the strong ones, hinting that this may not be a healthy way to live.
The overriding theme of the song is the importance of love. The persona believes that religion and the concept of heaven may not be as important as love. They declare their belief in love and the idea that love is what distinguishes an existent person from a non-existent one. The song concludes with the assertion that if someone follows their heart and allows it to lead the way, then they will find love any day, even though it is often difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
What's it all about, Austin
What is the meaning of life, Austin?
Is it just for the moment we live
Is life only meant to be lived in the moment?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Austin
When you figure out the meaning of life, Austin, what is it?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Is it our purpose to be selfish and take more than we give?
Or are we meant to be kind
Or are we meant to be kind and give more than we take?
And if only fools are kind, Austin
If only fools are the ones who give, Austin,
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
then I guess it is smarter to be selfish rather than kind.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Austin
If the only people who deserve to live are the strong, Austin,
What will you've learned on an old golden rule
what is the point of the old adage, 'treat others how you wish to be treated'?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Austin
I am confident that there is a heaven above, Austin,
You know there's something much more
I know that there is something more important than heaven.
Something even nonbelievers can believe in
Something that even those who don't believe in heaven can believe in.
I believe in love, Austin
I believe that love is the most important thing, Austin.
Without true love we just exist, Austin
Without genuine love, we are just going through the motions of life, Austin.
Until you find love you've missed you're nothing, Austin
If you haven't found love, you haven't experienced the most important thing in life, Austin.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
Follow your heart, Austin.
And you'll find love any day, Austin
If you follow your heart, Austin, love will find you eventually.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Trevor_G_
Lyrics:
What's it all about, Austin?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Austin?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Austin
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Austin
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Austin
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Austin
Without true love we just exist, Austin
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Austin
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Austin
Austin
@SergioArellano-yd7ik
Susanna Hoffs you are still my eternal crush I love you so much.💗❤️💖💞💘💝🌷🌷🌹
@joseabad2552
This song is a beautiful masterpiece ❤
@michaelplzno
such powerful truth could only be part of a wacky comedy because if this was a drama this song would hit like a brick glove.
@christymcdaniel6625
Very beautiful!
@ericfreeman5795
OMG! I thought that Susanna's version of "The Look of Love" in the first Austin Powers movie was so beautiful that it rivaled Dusty Springfield's original version.
Now she just surpassed herself. "What's It All About, Alfie" or "Austin" as this is the case, is a song with a more complex melody to follow, and therefore more complex to interpret.
Susanna not only nailed it, she again in my opinion, surpassed Cilla Black's original. Even though Cilla's version has a powerful delivery (and rocks, by the way), Susanna adds a dosis of her signature sweetness and softness, thanks to her angelic voice, that just makes her version so relaxing to listen to.
I've always been an admirer of the Bangles and Susanna Hoffs in particular. But when someone discusses the great female singers that appeared in the 80s, mentioning Celine, Whitney, Madonna, and others, I have always mentioned Susanna. And to have an idea of her interpretative talent, don't just stay with "Manic Monday" or "Eternal Flame". If you want to talk about interpretative capability, listen to "The Look of Love", and now this version of "Alfie", or should I say "Austin".
@JL-ud5eq
Beautiful Song. RIP Cilla Black.😢
@trizbara5683
Thank you.
@arlethvitanza
...this is to levitate ...ooomg ...super beautiful ...again, master Hoffs, thank you so much for sharing all this things today ...pretty grateful to you
🎶🎻🎙️😊🎹✨🎶
✨🎶✨🎶✨🎶✨
@JOAOBATISTADEFREITASNETO
Musica e voz maravilhosa
@RKStrikerJK5
Whoa! This is beautiful!