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.

Dedicated To You
McRae Carmen Lyrics

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If I should write a book for you
That brought me fame and fortune too,
That book would be,
Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.

And if I should paint a picture too
That showed the loveliness of you,

My art would be,
Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.

To you,
Because your love is the beacon that lights up my way.
To you,
Because with you I know a lifetime could be just one heavenly day.

If I should find a twinkling star,
One half as wondrous as you are,
That star would be
Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.

To you,
Because your love is the beacon that lights up my way.
To you,
Because with you I know a lifetime could be just one heavenly day.

If I should find a twinkling star,
One half as wondrous as you are,
That star would be

Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Carmen McRae’s song “Dedicated to You” express her profound love and gratitude towards her significant other. She portrays her love in a unique way by comparing herself to a book, a painting, and even a star - all of which she would dedicate to her beloved. The song begins by stating that if she ever wrote a book, it would be dedicated to her loved one. The book would bring her fame and fortune, but it would still be dedicated to him. The same goes for her painting - capturing his loveliness, and for a twinkling star that she thinks is only half as wondrous as he is. Everything she creates, she dedicates to him, symbolizing that he is the source of her happiness and inspiration.

Line by Line Meaning

If I should write a book for you
If I were to write a book for you

That brought me fame and fortune too,
Which would also bring me fame and fortune

That book would be,
The book would symbolize

Like my heart and me,
Myself and my heart

Dedicated to you.
Are dedicated to you

And if I should paint a picture too
In addition, if I were to paint a picture

That showed the loveliness of you,
Which captures your beauty

My art would be,
The art would symbolize

Like my heart and me,
Myself and my heart

Dedicated to you.
Are dedicated to you

Because your love is the beacon that lights up my way.
Your love is what guides me.

Because with you I know a lifetime could be just one heavenly day.
Being with you makes every moment feel like heaven

If I should find a twinkling star,
Furthermore, If I found a shining star

One half as wondrous as you are,
That is half as beautiful as you

That star would be
It would symbolize

Like my heart and me,
Myself and my heart

Dedicated to you.
Are dedicated to you

Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hy Zaret, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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