In 1999 Jazz legend Joe Sample collaborated with Lalah on the album The Song Lives On, which became a staple on both Jazz and Smooth R&B radio, as well as topping the Jazz charts. However, it would not be until 2004 that Lalah Hathaway would resurface with her own project. She had her biggest hit single in years with an inspired cover of the late Luther Vandross' Forever, For Always, For Love, topping the Urban AC Chart and reaching Top 40 on Billboards mainstream R&B chart, a feat repeated by Outrun the Sky, Hathaway's first solo album in a decade, which was released late in the year.
If This World Were Mine
Lalah Hathaway Lyrics
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I would place it at your feet
All that I own
You’ve been so good to me
If this world were mine
I’d give you the flowers
The birds and the bees
That would be all I need
If this world were mine
I would give you anything
If this world were mine
I would make you a king
With wealth untold
We could have anything
If this world were mine
I’d give you each day
So sunny and blue
And if you wanted the moonlight
I would give you that too
If this world were mine
Oh baby
I’d give you anything
Oh baby
All my inspiration
And there’s no hesitation
When you’re home
Honey, just call me
My consolation
In this simple sensation
When I’m in your arms
When you squeeze me
The way that you do
The way you do
The way that you do
Oh baby
Oh baby
The way that you do
Do…
Every sky would be blue
As long as you’re loving me
Baby
With you here in my arms
Life is so wonderful my love
Give me pretty loving baby
Give me pretty loving honey
Keep on loving me baby
Honey
You know I need you honey
You know I need you baby
Keep on loving me, yea
Loving me the way you do
I’ll never let you go (never let you go)
You know the world would be yours
Yea yea yea
Yes it would
The world be yours
Baby
Baby
It would be yours
It would be
Lalah Hathaway's "If This World Were Mine" is a love ballad about the depth of love and the willingness to give up everything for the person you love. The song opens up with the singer expressing their love, saying that if the world were theirs to give, they would give it to their love. The singer expresses their desire to give their love all the flowers, the birds, the bees, and everything that they own because of how good their love has been to them. It is clear from the lyrics that the singer's love is their source of happiness, and they want their love to feel the same way.
The chorus goes on to say that if the world were theirs, they would make their love a king and give them all the wealth that they desire. The singer would give their love each day, as sunny and blue as it can be, and the moonlight, too, if requested. The singer repeats that they would give their love anything that they want, and the song ends with the singer declaring their love and devotion to their lover.
The lyrics of "If This World Were Mine" are open about the depth of love, showing how it can make everything in the world feel magical, and how the singer is willing to give up all they have for their love. The lyrics also suggest that the singer's love is reciprocated by their lover, saying that their embrace is the singer's consolation and that the way their lover squeezes them is something special.
Line by Line Meaning
If this world were mine
If I had complete control over the world and everything in it
I would place it at your feet
I would give it all to you and let you do whatever you want with it
All that I own
Everything I possess
You’ve been so good to me
You have treated me with kindness and generosity
I’d give you the flowers
I would give you the beauty and wonder of nature
The birds and the bees
The natural world and all its wonders
And if your love’s beside me
Having your love and companionship by my side
That would be all I need
I would have everything I could ever want or need
I would give you anything
I am willing to give you anything you desire
I would make you a king
I would give you the highest honor and respect
With wealth untold
With uncountable riches
We could have anything
We could have anything our hearts desire
I’d give you each day
I would give you the gift of time and make every day special
So sunny and blue
Filled with happiness and joy
And if you wanted the moonlight
If you desired something seemingly impossible
I would give you that too
I would still do my best to make it happen
Oh baby
An affectionate term to refer to a significant other
All my inspiration
You motivate me and inspire me to be my best self
And there’s no hesitation
I have no doubt or hesitation when it comes to my feelings for you
When you’re home
When you are with me
Honey, just call me
Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything you need
My consolation
You provide me with comfort and solace
In this simple sensation
In the feeling of your embrace and presence
When I’m in your arms
When you hold me tight
When you squeeze me
When you show physical affection towards me
The way that you do
The specific way you show your love and affection
Every sky would be blue
Everything would be perfect and wonderful
As long as you’re loving me
As long as I have your love and affection
Life is so wonderful my love
Life itself is full of joy and happiness because of your love
Give me pretty loving baby
Show me love and affection in a beautiful and meaningful way
Keep on loving me baby
Continue to show your love and affection towards me
You know I need you honey
I rely on you and cannot live without you
Loving me the way you do
Showing affection towards me in the specific way that you do
I’ll never let you go (never let you go)
I will always love and cherish you, and will never let you go
You know the world would be yours
If you were with me, I would do whatever it takes to give you the world
Yes it would
It would definitely be yours
The world be yours
You would have complete control and ownership of the world
Baby
An affectionate term to refer to a significant other
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind