His hit songs include "Never Too Much", "Here and Now", "Any Love", "Power of Love/Love Power", "I Can Make It Better" and "For You to Love". Many of his songs were covers of original music by other artists such as "If This World Were Mine" (duet with Cheryl Lynn), "Since I Lost My Baby", "Superstar" and "Always and Forever". Duets such as "The Closer I Get to You" with Beyoncé, "Endless Love" with Mariah Carey and "The Best Things in Life Are Free" with Janet Jackson were all hit songs in his career.
During his career, Vandross sold over 35 million records worldwide, and received eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four different times. He won a total of four Grammy Awards in 2004 including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for a song recorded not long before his death, "Dance with My Father".
Possessing a tenor vocal range, Vandross was commonly referred to as "The Velvet Voice" in reference to his exceptional vocal talent, and was sometimes called "The Best Voice of a Generation". He was also regarded as the "Pavarotti of Pop" by many critics.
In 2008, Vandross was ranked No. 54 on Rolling Stone Magazine's List of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Mariah Carey stated several times in interviews that standing next to Vandross while recording their duet "Endless Love" was intimidating.
By popular vote, Vandross was inducted into The SoulMusic Hall of Fame at SoulMusic.com in December 2012.
If This World Were Mine
Luther Vandross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
And the old love inside me, that would be all I need
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
If this world were mine, I'd make you a king
With wealth untold, you 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'd give you that too
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
Oh baby, you're my inspiration
And there's no hesitation
When you want me, honey, just call me
Oh babe, you're my consolation
I feel so much sensation
When I'm in your arms, when you squeeze me
The way that you do
The way that you (love me boy)
The way that you do (ooh the way that you love me)
Oh every sky would be blue
As long as you're lovin' me baby
When I'm here in my arms
Life is so wonderful my love
Give me pretty lovin', baby
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Keep on lovin' me babe
Oh oh you know I need you, honey
You know I need you, baby
Keep on lovin' me
Lovin' me the way, the way you do
My love
I love the way that you, the way that you love me baby
I love the way that you, the way that you love me baby
You know the world, the world would be yours
Yes it would (yes it would)
The world would be yours, baby
Ooh it world would be yours
(If you beleive)
Luther Vandross' “If This World Were Mine” is a romantic ballad expressing the depth of his affection. The first two verses speak directly to a lover, materializing the idea of giving them everything in the world by wishing to place it at their feet. The singer reaffirms his commitment, and how grateful he is for the love he’s received thus far, and how the lover has inspired him to keep growing in love. The chorus takes an instrumental break that has a jazzy vibe with strings (not present in the verses) and pushes the lyrics about love’s omnipotence. The final verse returns to solidifying the couple's bond and the intensity of the love and desire expressed through the song's entirety.
While the song might seem like an ordinary love song, there is more meaning hidden beneath its surface. Vandross wished for a world so perfect that perhaps it could only exist in dreams, and he placed his beloved at the center of that dream. The simplicity of “If This World Were Mine” speaks volumes about love and the power of creating an imaginary place where everything is possible. The harmonies and slow tempo make it possible for the listener to feel the intensity of love’s purity, allowing the song to remain timeless in the history of R&B.
Line by Line Meaning
If this world were mine, I'd place at your feet
If the whole world belonged to me, I would offer everything I have to you
All that I own, you've been so good to me
Since you've been so nice to me, I would offer everything I own to you
If this world were mine, I'd give you the flowers
If I had control over everything, I would give you the beauty of flowers
The birds and the bees
I would give you the amazing sensation that nature created
And the old love inside me, that would be all I need
Being able to love you fully, would be my complete satisfaction
If this world were mine, I'd give you anything
I would provide you with everything you desire if it would make you happy.
If this world were mine, I'd make you a king
If I could, I would give you a life fit for royalty
With wealth untold, you could have anything
I would provide you with all the wealth unimaginable, so that you can have anything you desire
I'd give you each day so sunny and blue
I would make sure that every day is bright and full of sunshine for you
And if you wanted the moonlight, I'd give you that too
I would do everything in my power, even the impossible, to give you whatever you want
Oh baby, you're my inspiration
You are the person who continuously motivates me to become a better person
And there's no hesitation
There's nothing that could ever stop me from loving you
When you want me, honey, just call me
Anytime you need me, just give me a call, and I'll be there for you.
Oh babe, you're my consolation
You are the source of comfort in my life.
I feel so much sensation
You make me feel alive with the strong amount of feelings I feel for you
When I'm in your arms, when you squeeze me
When I'm held in your embrace and you hold me tight, I feel loved and secure
The way that you do
The way that you express your love,
The way that you (love me boy)
The way that you express your undying love to me, my darling
The way that you do (ooh the way that you love me)
The whimsical way you show your unquantifiable love for me.
Oh every sky would be blue
With you by my side, the good feeling would continue every day
As long as you're lovin' me baby
With you loving me, every day would be a love story
When I'm here in my arms
When I hold you close to my heart
Life is so wonderful my love
I feel immensely happy and satisfied with you right where I am
Give me pretty lovin', baby
Love me affectionately and affectionately
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Love me with your whole heart and soul
Keep on lovin' me babe
Continue loving me forever, my love
Oh oh you know I need you, honey
You know how much I need you, my dear.
You know I need you, baby
You know that I need you like the air I breathe
Keep on lovin' me
Keep showering me with love, my love
Lovin' me the way, the way you do
Keep giving me love with the intensity that I cherish
My love
My love that I have just for you
I love the way that you, the way that you love me baby
I am always captivated by the way you love me
You know the world, the world would be yours
You would have the power to have anything in the world you could desire.
Yes it would (yes it would)
It definitely would be yours; there would be nothing stopping you
The world would be yours, baby
The entire world would be yours, my darling
Ooh it world would be yours
It would absolutely belong to you, my love
(If you beleive)
(In you believing in us)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@et2850
2019. If this world were mine, I'd place 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
And the old love inside me, that would be all I need
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
If this world were mine, I'd make you a king
With wealth untold, you 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'd give you that too
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
Oh baby, you're my inspiration
And there's no hesitation
When you want me, honey, just call me
Oh babe, you're my consolation
I feel so much sensation
When I'm in your arms, when you squeeze me
The way that you do
The way that you (love me boy)
The way that you do (ooh the way that you love me)
Oh every sky would be blue
As long as you're lovin' me baby
When I'm here in my arms
Life is so wonderful my love
Give me pretty lovin', baby
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Keep on lovin' me babe
Oh oh you know I need you, honey
You know I need you, baby
Keep on lovin' me
Lovin' me the way, the way you do
My love
I love the way that you, the way that you love me baby
I love the way that you, the way that you love me baby
You know the world, the world would be yours
Yes it would (yes it would)
The world would be yours, baby
Ooh it world would be yours
(If you beleive)
Songwriters: Marvin Gaye / Marvin P Gaye
If This World Were Mine lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
@barryhill1399
I’m 25 but all my friends call me granddad because this is the type of music I listen to what can I say I got a old soul ❤️❤️
@kenyatta4rmdabeach745
Bruh keep doing you have great taste in music.
@rashaddagbrew1286
You are what they call a classic man lil bro don't lose that 💯
@Wayne-rv4kp
I say you got soul and I hope your friends would appreciate you more and more each day.
@imjaylen6461
My father used to listen to this guy EVERYDAY when I was small. Here I am..25 years old..listening to Luther now🤦🏿♂️. But I see why my father loved him
@justinpearson3796
I'm 26 it's brings me peace of mind
@endozha795
This is still one of the most beautiful collabs and songs ever made, gives me chills! Happy 2020 Errbody ;)
@malkymfoxwurth5444
"The way that it will do"
@shyrettaburden4690
Best o grew up on all the best artist 70s baby
@ThePurplePillPerspective
The end of your comment, “Happy 2020” is hitting different after what 2020 showed us 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️. Hopefully, 2021 is better. Salute!!