I Can't Give You Anything But Love
June Christy 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" by June Christy talks about the struggles one goes through when they are broke, and how they want to give their loved ones everything they desire but can't due to financial constraints. The opening lines "Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse" sets the tone of the song and showcases the singer's frustration with their financial situation. The next line "My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse" depicts the singer's desperation for luck to turn in their favor, and how things seem to be getting worse for them.


The song shifts from the struggles to the hope of one day being able to provide for their loved one. The line "Who knows, someday, I will win too. I'll begin to reach my prime" talks about how they still have hope of achieving success and providing the best for their partner. The chorus of the song forms the crux of its message where the singer admits to not being able to give their partner anything materialistic except for love, which is the only thing they possess in abundance. The lines "I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby" showcases the sincerity and devotion of the singer towards their partner. Towards the end of the song, the singer reassures their loved one that they will always love them, no matter what. The lines "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" displays their unwavering love and loyalty towards their partner.


Line by Line Meaning

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being impoverished is very difficult, my dear.


It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
It's not something to be laughed at, it's a serious affliction.


My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
My fortunes are taking a turn for the worse, going from bad to even worse.


Who knows, some day I will win too. I'll begin to reach my prime.
Perhaps someday I'll experience victory as well and reach my peak.


Now though I see what our end is, All I can spend is just my time.
Currently, I am aware of our situation, but all I can offer is my companionship.


I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
I can only offer you affection, my dear, as it's the only thing in abundance.


Dream awhile, scheme awhile We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Let's dream and plan together, we will surely find joy and all the things you've wanted.


Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Oh, how I'd love to see you looking wonderful, my dear, with jewelry that Woolworth's doesn't carry.


Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love.
Until that fortunate day, my love, you know very well that all I can give is my affection.


Rome wasn't built in a day, kid. You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
Great things take time, my dear, and you must put forth effort to attain what you desire.


But I am willing to wait, dear, Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
However, I am willing to wait patiently, my love, and I will always remember our relationship.


You have a lifetime before you. I'll adore you, come what may.
You have your whole life ahead of you, my dear, and I will love you unconditionally through it all.


Please don't be blue for the present, When it's so pleasant to hear you say
Don't be sad for the time being, my love, when it's so lovely to hear your voice saying




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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