Kenneth Bruce Gorelick (born June 5, 1956 in Seattle, WA), better known by … Read Full Bio ↴Kenneth Bruce Gorelick (born June 5, 1956 in Seattle, WA), better known by his stage name Kenny G, is a Grammy winning American saxophonist. His fourth album, Duotones, brought him breakthrough success in 1986. Kenny G's main instrument is the soprano saxophone, but he also on occasion plays alto and tenor saxophone. He started playing the saxophone when he was 10 years old, in 1966.

Kenny G has long been the musician many jazz listeners love to hate. A phenomenally successful instrumentalist whose recordings make the pop charts, Kenny G's sound has been a staple on adult contemporary jazz and smooth jazz radio stations since the mid-'80s, making him a household name. Kenny G is a fine player with an attractive sound (influenced a bit by Grover Washington, Jr.) who often caresses melodies, putting a lot of emotion into his solos. Because he does not improvise much (sticking mostly to predictable melody statements), his music largely falls outside of jazz. However, because he is listed at the top of "contemporary jazz" charts and is identified with jazz in the minds of the mass public, he is classified as a jazz artist.

All the Way
Kenny G Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nothing's ever quite the way you think
Sometimes I can't see what's in front of me
I know you look at me as just a friend
That's all I am and all I've ever been

It took a little time for me to see
That I could fall for you so easily
I believe that you were heaven sent

I may never get this chance again to tell you that

I want you more than words can say
I gotta have you in each and every way
I'm open, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

I need you when all is said and done
I really need you 'cause you're the one
I love you, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

You can tell me if you don't agree
That this is happening so suddenly
But if you ever think of you and me
Or me and you and how good it could be

Then let me love you, let me in your life
Let me take you up to higher heights
Life without you girl would be punishment
I believe that this to be is meant

I want you more than words can say
I gotta have you in each and every way
I'm open, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

I need you when all is said and done
I really need you 'cause you're the one
I love you, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

You're everywhere I wanna be
Seen everything I need to see
Falling like stars from the sky
There's no more questions or why

I know you want me too
And baby girl and everything I do I do for you

I want you more than words can say
I gotta have you in each and every way
I'm open, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

I need you when all is said and done
I really need you 'cause you're the one
I love you, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

I want you more than words can say
I gotta have you in each and every way
I'm open, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

I need you when all is said and done

I really need you 'cause you're the one
I love you, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way

Overall Meaning

In the song All the way, Kenny G expresses his love for someone he considers a friend. He reveals that he has fallen for the person and wants to take their relationship to the next level. He acknowledges that things don't always turn out the way we expect and sometimes we miss what's right in front of us, but he believes that this chance to be with the person is meant to be. He asks his friend to give him a chance to love them, promising to take them to "higher heights" and make their life together an adventure. In the end, he reiterates that he loves the person and hopes they can take their relationship "all the way."

The lyrics clearly express the desire of the singer for something more than friendship, which is interesting since many pop songs written from the point of view of men often celebrate the sexual conquests they make. But in this case, Kenny G is observing a deeper spiritual connection rather than base physical attraction. The song can be seen as a call to action for communication, letting the person know how he feels.

The lyrics are quite emotional and reveal the vulnerability of the singer, which is refreshing to see in a love song. The chorus is particularly emotive, stating that he wants to take things "all the way" and needs the other person because they are "the one."

Line by Line Meaning

Nothing's ever quite the way you think
Life can surprise you and not always in a good way.

Sometimes I can't see what's in front of me
Occasionally, it's hard to see the obvious things that are right in front of you.

I know you look at me as just a friend
I understand that you see me as nothing more than a platonic friend.

That's all I am and all I've ever been
I have only been a friend, nothing more.

It took a little time for me to see
I needed time to realize my true feelings for you.

That I could fall for you so easily
I was surprised at how easily and quickly I developed feelings for you.

I believe that you were heaven sent
I think you were sent to me from above.

I may never get this chance again to tell you that
I might not have another opportunity to express my feelings to you.

I want you more than words can say
My desire for you cannot be put into words.

I gotta have you in each and every way
I need you in every aspect of my life.

I'm open, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way
I am honest and vulnerable, and I hope we can pursue a romantic relationship.

I need you when all is said and done
I require you in my life now and forever.

I really need you 'cause you're the one
I need you because you are the only one for me.

I love you, an' I was hopin' we could take it all the way
I have strong feelings of love for you, and I hope we can have a romantic relationship.

You can tell me if you don't agree
Please be honest with me if you do not feel the same way.

That this is happening so suddenly
I understand if this all seems to be happening too quickly.

But if you ever think of you and me
Please consider a future between us.

Or me and you and how good it could be
Think about the potential for a happy and fulfilling relationship between us.

Then let me love you, let me in your life
Allow me to love you and be a part of your life.

Let me take you up to higher heights
Let me elevate our relationship to greater heights.

Life without you girl would be punishment
Life would feel like a punishment without you.

I believe that this to be is meant
I feel that our connection is meant to be.

You're everywhere I wanna be
I want to be with you everywhere you go.

Seen everything I need to see
You have shown me everything I need to know about you.

Falling like stars from the sky
Our connection feels magical, almost like falling stars.

There's no more questions or why
My doubts and questions have all been answered.

I know you want me too
I am aware that you also have feelings for me.

And baby girl and everything I do I do for you
Everything I do, I do for you, my love.

I want you more than words can say
My desire for you is beyond words.

I gotta have you in each and every way
I must have you in every possible aspect of my life.