Body And Soul
Lester Young Lyrics


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My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul

I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I'm all for you body and soul

I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear

My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

My life a wreck you're making




You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul

Overall Meaning

In Lester Young's "Body and Soul," the singer is expressing his unrequited love for someone who doesn't feel the same. He feels sad and lonely because the object of his affection is not reciprocating, and he spends his days longing for them. He can't believe that they're not interested, and wonders if they're just pretending or if it's truly the end, unless he can prove his love to them.


The lyrics suggest that the singer has given everything to this person, body and soul, and is willing to surrender himself completely to them. The phrase "body and soul" has a double meaning - on one hand, it means that he is willing to give them his entire physical and emotional being, but it also references the popular jazz standard of the same name written by Johnny Green, which was a popular song in the 1930s and 1940s. This gives the lyrics a greater sense of depth and meaning, as the singer is not just declaring his love for someone, but also referencing a larger cultural moment.


The singer's pain and longing are palpable in the lyrics, and the way that he repeats the phrase "I'm all for you body and soul" emphasizes the depth of his feelings. This is a common theme in jazz standards, as the genre often incorporates feelings of longing, pain, and nostalgia into its songs. The lyrics also suggest a certain degree of passivity on the part of the singer - he is waiting for his love to be reciprocated rather than actively pursuing the object of his affection.


Line by Line Meaning

My heart is sad and lonely
I feel miserable without you in my life


For you I sigh, for you dear only
You are the only one I want and think about constantly


Why haven't you seen it
I wish you would recognize my love for you


I'm all for you body and soul
I am unconditionally devoted to you


I spend my days in longing
I constantly yearn for your love


And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I can't understand why you are hurting me


I tell you I mean it
I am serious about my feelings for you


I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you with all my heart and soul


I can't believe it
I find it hard to accept


It's hard to conceive it
I can't imagine the possibility of it being true


That you'd turn away romance
I am shocked that you would reject my love


Are you pretending
I wonder if you are faking your feelings for me


It looks like the ending
It seems like our relationship is coming to an end


Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I hope for another opportunity to demonstrate my love for you


My life a wreck you're making
Your rejection of my love is causing my life to fall apart


You know I'm yours for just the taking
I am completely at your mercy and willing to do anything for you


I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am willing to give up everything for you, including myself and my very being




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Paul Michael Barry, Phil Simpson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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