Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American j… Read Full Bio ↴Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th Century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable.[1] McRae drew inspiration from Billie Holiday, but established her own distinctive voice. She went on to record over 60 albums during her career, and enjoying a rich musical career, performing and recording in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

All the Things You Are
McRae Carmen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Time and again I've longed for adventure,
Something to make my heart beat the faster.
What did I long for? I never really knew.
Finding your love I've found my adventure,
Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster,
All that I want in all of this world is you.

You are the promised kiss of springtime

That makes the lonely winter seem long.
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the angel glow that lights a star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Some day my happy arms will hold you,

And some day I'll know that moment divine,
When all the things you are, are mine!

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, McRae Carmen sings about her personal longing for adventure and excitement. However, she admits that she never truly knew what her heart truly longed for until she found love. She paints a vivid picture of how her heart started racing and beating faster the moment she touched the hand of her lover. She declares that her lover is what she wants the most in the world.

McRae Carmen vividly describes her lover in the second half of these lyrics. She describes her lover as the promised kiss of springtime which offers hope and happiness, making the lonely winter season seem shorter. Her lover is the breathless hush in the evening, creating a moment of perfect silence that fades away into a lovely song. Carmen compares her lover to an angel glow that lights up everything like a star, and she claims that the dearest things she knows are embodied in the essence of her lover. The song ends with Carmen dreaming about the moment when she would hold her lover in her arms, and when the "all the things you are" would be hers.

Line by Line Meaning

Time and again I've longed for adventure
I have constantly desired an experience that will bring excitement into my life

Something to make my heart beat the faster
A pursuit that will increase the intensity of my emotions and make me feel alive

What did I long for? I never really knew
I was unsure of what exactly I sought

Finding your love I've found my adventure
Your love provides the rush and thrill that I have been seeking

Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster
Merely being close to you makes my heart race with excitement

All that I want in all of this world is you
You are the only thing that truly matters to me

You are the promised kiss of springtime
You bring a sense of renewal and rejuvenation to my life

That makes the lonely winter seem long
Without you, life would be cold and barren

You are the breathless hush of evening
You are the peaceful silence that brings calm and tranquility

That trembles on the brink of a lovely song
The delicate balance of beauty that teeters on the edge of perfection, waiting for you to bring it to life

You are the angel glow that lights a star
Your radiance illuminates everything around you, making even the most distant objects shine brightly

The dearest things I know are what you are
You are the most precious and valuable thing in my life

Some day my happy arms will hold you
I dream of the moment when I can embrace you with joy and love

And some day I'll know that moment divine
I anticipate the experience of pure bliss that awaits us

When all the things you are, are mine!
When I finally have all of you, my happiness and fulfillment will be complete

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

GUNJACK2

Once I had heard a Carmen Mcrae's other version of this song I thought it was by far the best I'd heard. now I hear another one of her that simply does not fall from grace!