Anything But Without You
Johnny 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 song "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" is a lovely, up-tempo jazz ballad composed in the 1920s by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, with lyrics that speak of the struggles of being broke and the hope of one day being wealthy enough to provide the finer things in life for a loved one. The lyrics are sung by the singer, who is comparing his current situation to what he hopes it will one day be. He reflects on how tough it is to be broke, but that he believes his luck is changing and that one day he'll be rich enough to give his loved one everything she deserves.


The singer is essentially saying that although he can't offer material possessions and extravagant gifts right now, all he can offer is his love. He is encouraging his loved one to dream and scheme with him, so that they can find happiness and all those things they've always pined for. The song's message is one of hope and faith in a better future, despite current financial limitations.


Overall, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" is a sweet and positive tune, filled with optimism and the promise of better things to come.


Line by Line Meaning

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


It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
This is a serious problem that is very difficult to overcome.


My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
Things seem to be getting even worse despite my efforts.


Who knows, some day I will win too.
Maybe someday my luck will change and I will be successful.


I'll begin to reach my prime.
I'll start to come into my own and reach my potential.


Now though I see what our end is,
I understand the challenges we face.


All I can spend is just my time.
Time is all I have to give right now.


I can't give you anything but love, baby.
I may not have money, but I can offer you love.


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


Dream awhile, scheme awhile
Let's imagine and plan for a better future.


We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
If we work together, we can find the happiness and things you've always wanted.


Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
I really want to see you looking great and feeling happy.


Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I want to give you the best things in life if I could.


Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
Until the day when everything works out for us.


Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
Great things take time to achieve.


You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
If you want something, you have to work hard for it and earn it.


But I am willing to wait, dear,
I'm patient and committed to our future together.


Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
I won't forget about you and will always be here for you.


You have a lifetime before you.
You have so much time to achieve your dreams and live your life.


I'll adore you, come what may.
I will always love you and be by your side no matter what happens.


Please don't be blue for the present,
Don't be sad or discouraged by the present situation.


When it's so pleasant to hear you say
It's wonderful and comforting to hear you speak.


I can't give you anything but love, baby.
Love is all I have to offer you right now.


That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby.
Although I may not have other resources, I have an abundance of love for you.


Dream awhile, scheme awhile
Let's keep dreaming and exploring possibilities for the future.


We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
We'll work together to find the happiness and the things you've always wanted.


Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
I really want you to be happy and thriving.


Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I want to give you the best things in life if I could.


Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
Until we experience that moment of great fortune.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions