It Had to Be You
Kate Smith Lyrics


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Why do I do just as you say?
Why must I just give you your way?
Why do I sigh?
Why do I try to forget?

It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
Kept on saying I had to wait
I saw them all
Just couldn't fall till we met

It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me be blue
And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you

Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me a thrill




With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you

Overall Meaning

Kate Smith’s song “It Had To Be You” is a classic love song that expresses the shift in emotions people go through when they fall in love. The lyrics of the song reveal a common dilemma faced by those who are truly in love, which is the question of why they feel so compelled to do whatever their significant other requests. The opening lines of the song – “Why do I do just as you say? Why must I just give you your way? Why do I sigh? Why do I try to forget?” – reveal the hesitations and confusion faced by someone who wants to please the person they love. The song suggests that fate has brought the lovers together and it was only a matter of time until they found each other. The allusion of fate in the song gives the listeners the idea that fate is sometimes responsible for the unexpected events in life.


The chorus of “It Had To Be You” summarizes the entire story of the song. It highlights the individual search undertaken by the singer (“wandered around”) to find someone who would “make me be true, could make me be blue.” However, it is only when the singer meets their love interest that they are overjoyed to be sad thinking of them. The lyrics suggest that despite the flaws and shortcomings of this person, the singer’s love for this individual is genuine.


Line by Line Meaning

Why do I do just as you say?
I obey your wishes, even when I don't want to


Why must I just give you your way?
I always let you have what you want, without question


Why do I sigh?
I heave sighs of longing and desire for you, constantly


Why do I try to forget?
Despite my best efforts, I can't forget about you


It must have been that something lovers call "Fate"
There's a force beyond our control that brought us together


Kept on saying I had to wait
I had to be patient, because the timing wasn't right yet


I saw them all
I met many potential lovers, but none of them captured my heart


Just couldn't fall till we met
It took meeting you to finally fall in love


It had to be you, it had to be you
You are the only one for me, there's no other choice


I wandered around and finally found the somebody who
I searched far and wide until I found the one who completes me


Could make me be true, could make me be blue
You have the power to make me honest and emotional


And even be glad just to be sad thinkin' of you
Even when I'm sad and missing you, I feel glad to have known you


Some others I've seen might never be mean
I've met other potential lovers who are kind and gentle


Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn't do
But those others could never replace you, no matter how nice they are


For nobody else gave me a thrill
No other lover excites me and gives me thrills like you do


With all your faults, I love you still
Despite your imperfections, I still love you deeply


It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you
You are absolutely perfect for me, it had to be you




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Isham Jones, Gus Kahn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

William Cooper

How wonderful is Kate's rendition of this lovely song! How much emotion and feeling She exhibits! How could Kate not have had a love life? She sure seems to live the lyrics!

John J Devlin

Oh my! I'm still shaking. What an incredible performance of a lovely tune. Kate nailed it. Thrilling beyond belief.

Cats01

Anyone know why the drummer disappeared near the end of the song?

Donna Cooper

Ditto, Mr. Cooper! Lovely! Lovely! Lovely!

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