As You Desire Me
Keely Smith. Louis Prima Sam Butera Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You left me sad and lonely;
Why did you leave me lonely?
For here's a heart that's only
For nobody but you!

I'm burning like a flame, dear;
Oh, I'll never be the same, dear;
I'll always place the blame, dear,
On nobody but you.

Yes, you,
You're driving me crazy!
What did I do? What did I do?
My tears for you
Make everything hazy,
Clouding the skies of blue.

How true,
Were the friends who were near me to cheer me,
Believe me, they knew!
But you,
Were the kind who would hurt me, desert me,
When I needed you!

Yes, you!




You're driving me crazy!
What did I do to you?

Overall Meaning

In "As You Desire Me," Keely Smith, Louis Prima, and Sam Butera sing about a painful breakup and the tormenting emotions that come with it. The song's opening lines express the singer's sadness and loneliness, as they wonder why their lover would leave them feeling this way. The lyrics emphasize the singer's devotion to their beloved, with a heart that belongs only to them. However, the chorus then shifts to a more frustrated and angry tone. The singer blames their lover for their current state, feeling like they are going crazy under the weight of their emotions. They question what they could have done to deserve this treatment and express the disorienting effects of their tears.


The second verse reveals that the singer had supportive friends who tried to help them through their heartbreak. However, instead of finding comfort in their companionship, the singer was left alone by their lover, who hurt and deserted them when they were most vulnerable. The chorus then repeats, highlighting the singer's pain and confusion.


One interesting fact about "As You Desire Me" is that it was originally written as a waltz in 1932 by Italian composer Luigi Lenzoni. It wasn't until a few years later that it was translated into English and became a hit song in the United States.


The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, and Elvis Presley. In fact, Presley sang "As You Desire Me" in his first ever public performance in 1954.


Louis Prima and Keely Smith, who recorded the version we know today, were a popular musical duo in the 1950s, known for their dynamic performances and playful banter. They were also married at the time, though their relationship was rumored to be tumultuous.


"As You Desire Me" was a hit for Louis Prima and Keely Smith, reaching number 24 on the Billboard charts in 1955. It remains one of their most popular songs today.


The song has been featured in several movies, including "The Caddy" (1953), "Gilda" (1946), and "Some Like It Hot" (1959).


In addition to its popularity in the United States, "As You Desire Me" has been translated into several languages, including Spanish, French, and German.


The lyrics of "As You Desire Me" are particularly emotive and poignant, reflecting the depth of the singer's pain and heartbreak. These emotions are heightened by the song's musical arrangement, which features a slow, mournful tempo and a repetitive melody.


While the lyrics of "As You Desire Me" may seem straightforward, the song's composers were skilled at crafting lyrics that were both poetic and accessible. The song's chorus is particularly effective, using repetition to emphasize the singer's increasing desperation and confusion.


The chords for "As You Desire Me" are fairly simple, consisting mainly of G, C, and D7 chords with occasional variations. However, the song's emotional impact comes not from its melody, but from the skillful delivery of its lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

You left me sad and lonely;
You departed, leaving me feeling dejected and alone.


Why did you leave me lonely?
What reason caused you to abandon me in my solitude?


For here's a heart that's only
For you, I reserved and gave only my heart.


For nobody but you!
I offered my love to no one but you.


I'm burning like a flame, dear;
My intense passion for you makes me feel ablaze, dear.


Oh, I'll never be the same, dear;
I'm changed irrevocably because of my feelings for you, dear.


I'll always place the blame, dear,
When something goes wrong in my life, I'll attribute the fault to you, dear.


On nobody but you.
No one other than you will be responsible for all my regrets and sorrows.


Yes, you,
Without a doubt, it was you.


You're driving me crazy!
You're making me feel mentally unhinged and out of control!


What did I do? What did I do?
What offense did I commit to cause this reaction from you?


My tears for you
My sadness, weeping and wailing for you


Make everything hazy,
It causes obscurity or confusion in my mind.


Clouding the skies of blue.
My distressing emotions cast a gloom over the typically serene and bright sky.


How true,
How real and sincere,


Were the friends who were near me to cheer me,
Those who were by my side, to provide solace and happiness, were loyal and honest.


Believe me, they knew!
Trust me, they were well-aware of all that was transpiring.


But you,
However, you were different from them;


Were the kind who would hurt me, desert me,
You were merciless enough to injure me and leave me stranded.


When I needed you!
At a moment when I was desperate for your support and presence!


What did I do to you?
What actions or words did I say to you that caused such a reaction from you?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WALTER DONALDSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

kait

When I hear the name Keely Smith, I start to smile. ❤

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