Three Little Words
Luther Henderson and His Orchestra Lyrics


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Three little words, oh what I'd give for that wonderful phrase,
To hear those three little words that's all I'd live for the rest of my days.
And what I feel in my heart, they tell sincerely.
No other words can tell it half so clearly.
Three little words, eight little letters which simply mean I love you.




Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Luther Henderson and His Orchestra's song Three Little Words express the deep desire to hear the words "I love you" from someone special. The singer speaks of the value they would put on this phrase and states that they would live for these three little words for the rest of their days. The sincerity of their love is clear to anyone who hears it, and no other words could express it quite as clearly. In essence, the song talks about the importance of love and how sometimes, even just three little words can mean the world to someone.


What makes this song interesting is that it has been covered by many famous artists over the years, including Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Additionally, it was used in the 1950 film of the same name. The song was written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, a famous songwriting duo from the early 20th century. It was first published in 1930 and quickly became a popular tune in the jazz and swing music scenes. Another interesting fact is that the song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1951. It was not the first time the song had been recognized for its popularity, as it had also become a hit in the 1930s and was covered by several notable artists.


Moreover, "Three Little Words" was inspired by the interactions of the main trio played by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, and Vera-Ellen in the 1950 musical "Three Little Words." Fred Astaire played the role of Bert Kalmar while Red Skelton played the role of Harry Ruby. Another interesting fact is that this song has been covered in a variety of different styles, including pop, jazz, and country. The song is also a popular choice for wedding ceremonies as it expresses the importance of love and the desire to share that love with someone special.


The simple and catchy melody of "Three Little Words" follows a 32-bar structure with a standard AABA format. The chords are often played on the piano and guitar, and they include G, B7, C, Cm, D, D7, E7, and A7. The song is typically played with a moderate swing tempo and features smooth vocals and an instrumental accompaniment that includes horns, piano, bass, and drums. Overall, "Three Little Words" is a timeless classic that expresses the universal desire for love and the importance of expressing that love through words and actions.


Chords:
Verse: G - B7 - C - Cm - G - E7 - A7 - D7
Chorus: G - B7 - C - Cm - G - E7 - A7 - D7 - G - G7 - C - Cm - G - E7 - A7 - D7.


Line by Line Meaning

Three little words, oh what I'd give for that wonderful phrase,
I desire those three small but powerful words that convey so much meaning.


To hear those three little words that's all I'd live for the rest of my days.
Hearing 'I love you' is the only thing I need to feel complete for the rest of my life.


And what I feel in my heart, they tell sincerely.
These words accurately express the feelings deep within my heart.


No other words can tell it half so clearly.
There are no other words that can express my love as strongly and precisely as these three.


Three little words, eight little letters which simply mean I love you.
These brief words, made up of only eight letters, convey a message of my deep love for you.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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