All or Nothing
Paul Weller Noel Gallagher Ian McLagan & Kenney Jones Lyrics

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I thought you'd listen to my reason
But now I see you don't hear a thing
Got to make you see how it's got to be
Yes if it's all right

All or nothing yeah yeah
All or nothing
All or nothing for me

Things could work out just like I want them to
If I could have the other half of you
That's all I would if I only could
Is to say

All or nothing oh yeah
All or nothing if I could I'd say
All or nothing for me

Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta
Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta

I ain't telling you no lie girl
So don't just sit there and cry girl
All or nothing (oh no)
All or nothing (oh yeah)
All or nothing (gotta gotta gotta keep on tryin')

All or nothing
(For me, for me, for me we're not children)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "All or Nothing" by Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones delve into the theme of an unrequited love where the singer tries to convey their feelings to the other person, who doesn't seem to be listening. The beginning of the song has the singer addressing the person they love, stating that they thought the other person would listen to their reason, but now they realize that the other person doesn't hear them. The singer is aware that they have to make the other person understand their love, though they are unsure if it's the right thing to do.

The chorus, "All or nothing yeah yeah, all or nothing, all or nothing for me," is the singer's call to action of sorts, telling the other person that they want a complete commitment or nothing at all. The singer believes that things could work out as they want them to only if they could have the other person's love in return. They want the other person to reciprocate their feelings and be with them completely. The song ends with the singer telling the other person that they aren't lying and asking them not to cry, but to try and understand the depth of their love.

Line by Line Meaning

I thought you'd listen to my reason
I believed that you would be receptive to my explanation

But now I see you don't hear a thing
But now it is apparent that my words are falling on deaf ears

Got to make you see how it's got to be
I must show you how it must be done

Yes if it's all right
If you agree, that is

All or nothing yeah yeah
It must be all or nothing, yes indeed

All or nothing
I will not settle for anything less than everything

All or nothing for me
I need it all or else it's nothing for me

Things could work out just like I want them to
The situation could be ideal, just as I imagine it

If I could have the other half of you
But I can only achieve this if I have your complete commitment

That's all I would if I only could
That is all I desire if it were possible

Is to say
These are the only words I have to express my need

All or nothing oh yeah
It's definitely all or nothing

All or nothing if I could I'd say
If I had the courage, I would tell you

All or nothing for me
But it must be all or nothing for it to be worth it

Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta
Instrumental

I ain't telling you no lie girl
I am being truthful with you, my dear

So don't just sit there and cry girl
So do not just sit there and weep

All or nothing (oh no)
It must be everything or nothing at all (oh no)

All or nothing (oh yeah)
It has to be everything or nothing at all (oh yeah)

All or nothing (gotta gotta gotta keep on tryin')
We must continue working towards making it all or nothing

All or nothing
It has to be everything or nothing at all

(For me, for me, for me we're not children)
(It is) for me, for me, for me, and we are not children

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PHILIP JAMES RICE, RICHARD GUARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

edfou5

9y↑20

People commenting here about how bad the vocals are are completely missing the point.

It isn't about a perfect rendition. It's about a stage full of Steve's friends and family singing their lungs out - out of respect and love for this man.

Probably the most universally respected male vocalist that England has ever produced. I've never known a rocker that didn't love him, wasn't in awe of him.

Mike Healy

13y↑6

It is hard to believe it has been ten years already. that sure went fast. RIP Steve Marriott...rocking with some of the best up in heaven.

Anthony Cappolino

15y↑4

BTW... Steve Marriott was one of the greatest vocalist to come out of England ever!!! He gave it his all. The man was the real deal.

Paul Allen

3y↑3

This is shambolic and I love it 😍

rkidmurray

3y↑1

When Weller takes over the vocals makes it all worth it.

Hilary Hawkins

12y↑7

This got me quite emotional as they did an excellent tribute to the great Steve Marriot, much missed even now R.I.P. Steve x

phil james

15y↑3

Top Men. Weller and Gallagher. I knew they liked him - well done boys!!!!

Steven Slaten

8y↑7

Good old Steve Marriott-one hard act to follow. Man! Wished I had THAT
VOICE.

Ah! bowakawa pousse pousse

bbqeatinbuckeye I think that screaming guy thought he had Steve’s voice. I wish I was in the audience with a bow and arrow 🏹 to end my ear ache.

EddieGrzyb

18y↑1

Nice Video,We all Miss Steve Marriot. Great to see Mac and Kenny on stage together.

per wagnert

7y↑2

Can still remember the preformance at Nalen Stockholm 1965/66, fantastic!

CardiffBrainsSA

8y↑2

I did not go to this show but I think it was about as good as it gets. Personally I'm blown away by so many of the contributions of the artists. Steve Ellis what a performance, Deborah Bonham too. For me Toby Marriott singing and shouting tyhe odd comment comes as a proud call for recognition from a son to a dad and for me he got it. Like some of the best hotels on tripadvisor there will be one star votes and comments also, Im just happy enough to say for me this is one of the best live sets ever, by the way I'm a closet Led Zeppelin fan !.

del boy

8y↑4

Funny how good music just keeps bouncing back
RIP STEVE MARRIOT

ontenge

17y↑1

Great classic !

micmac61

5y↑1

shambolic and brilliant. 👍

mykylangelo

15y↑7

Is he the greatest rock and roll singer?I think he is.

garagerocker48

14y↑1

great tribute

Caff68

17y

Very good, moveonup - I like your sense of humour!! I don't claim to be an expert on having a good time but I have noticed that people tend to smile and look happy when they're having fun ha ha!! Party tonight, by the way, in Bristol - hope you can make it: I'll be the miserable bastard in the corner, observing everyone else enjoying themselves tee hee :D (and btw, yes, I AM Steve's guardian angel - well, one of many!!)

xJayWalkerx

15y↑3

continuation In the middle of it there was a kind of musical repose, where you could hear what the vicar was saying. And then it broke into The Small Faces original version of 'All Or Nothing'. The whole place just collapsed. I mean. there wasn't a dry eye in the house. I sat right next to Kenny Jones and I looked at him, he looked at me and we were sobbing like children' RIP Steve

Cindy Falstrom

50w

I as did when I read this passage in Jerry's book.💔. I hope Steve knew how much he was loved.

xJayWalkerx

15y↑4

Such a powerful song. It was also played on Steve's funeral. Jerry Shirley said: 'His funeral was sold out. Standing room only! And the amazing thing was, out of nowhere, between fifty and hundred Mods showed up on their scooters, literally right out of Quadrophenia. They lined up on either side of the church and in back of the church, very respectful, with their heads hung. And the funeral proceedings themselves. His wife had put together a choice of music.

Des thefrenchrapper

17y↑1

Don't know but remember reading an interview with steve marriot from the seventies and steve was asked what he thought of the jam and he thought they sounded like the small faces when they started out. Paul weller seemed cheesed that steve wasn't playing the funky soul stuff he used to play and steve said he ain't heard my new stuff.

paulturner1990

16y↑1

rip steve marriott

Hilary Hawkins

12y↑3

@healamonster He lived in the fast lane so to speak, I just wish he`s slowed down and maybe we would have Steve still with us? but that was`nt Steve`s way. You have your good friend with you, the wonderful Ronnie Lane and making some great music up there ;) xx

Anthony Cappolino

15y↑2

Ha ha! That's Mac singing "thang". He's been living in Austin Texas for a while now... Must have picked it up there. LOL. Things can become jumbled up when there are so many people on stage. They gave it an alright go.

Des thefrenchrapper

17y

3 times wow! you knew him well!

Theo Van Bekkum

geweldig 20.9.2016

Airline photo

6y↑1

The blonde got that flying bottle

rkidmurray

17y

On The Bongos,yep.

Caff68

17y↑1

Yes!! My thoughts exactly!! It's a joke. In poor taste. Have you seen Weller and Noel Gallagher slaughtering "Here Comes the Nice" on here, from the same "gig"? (Referred to as "beautiful" by the poor deaf bloke who posted it)

ladycplum

9y↑3

Step aside, let someone with some genuine vocal talent take over.... 1:07

CardiffBrainsSA

8y↑5

One persons greatest feeling is another persons sadness. For my ears alone this show was one of the gretest live events ever. Every time I hear the show it gives me the reason and buzz to go to shows rather than miss the experience. As one gets older one is more likely to let the experience pass by and this is one show that passed by for me. Every single note of the concert together with the great feeling of an intense family and friends respect for Steve Marriott is fumblingly beautiful. I dont think the show would sound better even if Tom Jones did the vocals.

rob angel

17y

rob maina started the "we r the mods"

Shredder

Who's on bongos lol

joyce somerville

15y

I thought this was really good- was that nick lowe starting off the singing? donna

braddersthemod

15y

ocean colour scene do a far superia version

Des thefrenchrapper

17y

sorry otis reading, sam cooke and pp arnold couldn't make this one or maybe they should have called you. Are you steve himself or his guardian angel by the way? Sound like you are the expert of having a good time. Where's the next party?

paul martin

15y↑1

eh , i met steve umpteen times and he was a top man everytime.probably just didn't like you.

Grant Dryburgh

15y

i dont understand how i got to this video,,, i jst searched for "ugly folk" lol

ladymoonlight38

15y↑1

all these so called music legends get together & TRY to cover this. not a patch. dreadful!

Caff68

16y↑1

But now I see you don't hear a "thang". :-? Wish I hadn't heard this "thang" LOL It's terrible. Apart from the drumming and the organ playing, of course ;-)

Caff68

17y↑1

Well, I wish they'd stuck to Mother Brown, My Old Man and the Hokey Kokey, 'cos they've damn well destroyed this song... and, come to think of it, most of them don't even look like they're actually enjoying themselves very much anyway: so much for your "knees up" theory.