All Of You
Mabel Mercer & Bobby Short Lyrics


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I never had this feeling before
I never wanted anyone more
And something in your eyes tells me
You feel the way that I do, I feel like you do

If you would like to stay here all night
You know that I would say it's all right
Although I'm saying, yes, I confess
I've got more on my mind
'Cause I want more of you than your time

All of you, your body and soul
Every kind of love you can express
All the secret dreams you've never told
I want everything and I'll take nothing less

All of you as long as you live
Everything you've never shared before
I want all of you that you can give
All your joys and all your sorrows
Your today's and your tomorrows

How I'd long to feel the warmth of your touch
And then if I'm not asking too much
I'd like to spend my life wandering through
All the wonders of you, all the wonders of you

And when we're lying close in the dark
So close I feel each beat of your heart
I want you to reveal what you feel
All you hold deep inside
There is nothing I want you to hide

All of you, your body and soul
Everything you want this love to be
I want all of you, all that you can give
And in return for all you're giving
Let me give you all of me

All of you, your body and soul
Every kind of love you can express
All the secret dreams you've never told
I want everything, everything, everything

All of you as long as you live, as long as you live
Everything you want this love to be




I want all of you, all that you can give
In return, in return, I wanna give you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "All Of You" by Mabel Mercer & Bobby Short express a deep longing and desire for a romantic connection like never before experienced. The singer expresses their intense feelings towards the person they are addressing, confessing that they have never wanted anyone more than they want them. The lyrics highlight the mutual understanding between the two individuals, as the singer notes that something in the other's eyes confirms that they share the same emotions.


The lyrics further delve into the willingness of the singer to commit fully to the relationship, expressing a desire to spend every moment with the person they love. Despite acknowledging that they have other things on their mind, the singer confesses that they want more than just the other person's time – they want all of them, including their body and soul. This portrays a deep longing for intimacy and a genuine connection beyond just physical presence.


The chorus emphasizes the completeness the singer seeks in the relationship, wanting not just a part but "All of you" - encompassing every aspect of the other person, their love, dreams, joys, sorrows, today, and tomorrow. This all-encompassing love is expressed through a desire to share and experience everything with the beloved, leaving no aspect of themselves hidden or undisclosed.


In the closing verses, the singer expresses a desire to feel the warmth of their partner's touch and to explore the wonders of their being. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and a longing for emotional intimacy, with a plea for complete openness and honesty between the two individuals. The repetition of the phrase "All of you" throughout the song underscores the singer's longing for a deep, authentic connection where they can give all of themselves in return for receiving all of the other person.


Line by Line Meaning

I never had this feeling before
I have never experienced this kind of emotion in the past


I never wanted anyone more
I have never desired anyone as much as I desire you


And something in your eyes tells me
Your eyes reveal to me


You feel the way that I do, I feel like you do
That you have similar feelings as I do


If you would like to stay here all night
If you wish to spend the entire night here


You know that I would say it's all right
You are aware that I would agree to that


Although I'm saying, yes, I confess
Despite saying yes, I admit


I've got more on my mind
I have other thoughts on my mind


'Cause I want more of you than your time
Because I desire more than just your time


All of you, your body and soul
Every part of you, physically and spiritually


Every kind of love you can express
Any form of love you can demonstrate


All the secret dreams you've never told
All the hidden dreams you have not shared


I want everything and I'll take nothing less
I desire everything and will settle for nothing less


All of you as long as you live
Every aspect of you for as long as you exist


Everything you've never shared before
Every detail you have kept to yourself


I want all of you that you can give
I want every part of you that you are willing to offer


All your joys and all your sorrows
Both your happiness and your sadness


Your today's and your tomorrows
Your present moments and your future days


How I'd long to feel the warmth of your touch
I deeply desire to feel the warmth of your touch


And then if I'm not asking too much
If this request is not too demanding


I'd like to spend my life wandering through
I wish to spend my life exploring


All the wonders of you, all the wonders of you
Discovering all the incredible aspects of you


And when we're lying close in the dark
When we are laying intimately in darkness


So close I feel each beat of your heart
Close enough to sense every heartbeat of yours


I want you to reveal what you feel
I desire for you to disclose your inner feelings


All you hold deep inside
All the emotions you keep hidden within you


There is nothing I want you to hide
I do not want you to conceal anything from me


Everything you want this love to be
All you desire this love to encompass


In return, in return, I wanna give you
In exchange, I want to offer


Everything, everything, everything
All that I have, completely




Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Sentric Music, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jaroneames4304

I'm grateful to have had dinner with Ms. Mercer in London in 1977 during Queen Elizabeth's 25 Anniversary. She was holding court at the Playboy Club. A very talented, kind, and sensitive woman. A wonderful show! Thank you.

@renelctorres

Yes. I remember days when music was dreamy and inventive without blasting you away.

@dalfange

That was pure magic.  It is exciting to be able to see and hear those wonderful performances and to remember how gloriously Mabel Mercer and Bobby Short could present the lovely songs they sang.  I was privileged to have been able to hear them both in person (but not together), and I treasure the memory.  They are irreplaceable.

@Depenido

Your videos make me happy

@Depenido

Thank you

@jacobsimon

I saw Mabel Mercer in the 1960s at the Upstairs at the Downstairs in Manhattan. Inimitable and sublime.

@1001ruth

gosh, goD bless U-tube for making this possible. I first saw Mabel Mercer in Chicago in 1957 or '58. I saw and met her secondly at a local party around 1980 where she sang a little bit and was happy to talk more: we talked about her neighborhood and poems by Edna St Vincent Millay. But in truth it was that performance in 1958. I can still hear it, still see it. It was life-shattering, life-changing. No voice greater, no greater interpretive literacy every brought to the "great American song book".

@cattycorner8

Wish I'd been with you!

@mariahyman2025

Me too!! Lucky you. Such class

@madamevera

Thank you Uncle Louie. She was, and still is, the best. And such a balm in these crazy times.

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