Percy Faith (April 7, 1908 – February 9, 1976) was a Canadian-born bandlead… Read Full Bio ↴Percy Faith (April 7, 1908 – February 9, 1976) was a Canadian-born bandleader, orchestrator, composer and conductor, known for his lush arrangements of pop and Christmas standards. He is often credited with creating the "easy listening" or "mood music" format which became staples of American popular music in the 1950s and continued well into the 1960s. Though his professional orchestra-leading career began at the height of the swing era, Faith refined and rethought orchestration techniques, including use of large string sections, to soften and fill out the brass-dominated popular music of the 1940s.

Rags to Riches
Percy Faith & His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know I'd go from rags to riches
If you would only say you care
And though my pocket may be empty
I'd be a millionaire

My clothes may still be torn and tattered
But in my heart I'd be a king
Your love is all that ever mattered

It's everything

So open your arms and you'll open the door
To every treasure that I'm hopin' for
Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more

Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true
Or will I go from rags to riches
My fate is up to you

Must I forever be a beggar
Whose golden dreams will not come true

Or will I go from rags to riches
My fate is up to you

Overall Meaning

The song "Rags to Riches" by Percy Faith & His Orchestra/Tony Bennett, is a heartfelt plea to a lover to take the singer from poverty to the rich life he envisions. The lyrics express the idea that true riches come from love, not wealth. The opening lines suggest that the singer is convinced that if the one he loves would only care for him, he could go from rags to riches. The wealth here does not only refer to material possessions but also to emotional wealth. The singer is hoping to find the love he needs to change his life for the better.

The second verse, "My clothes may still be torn and tattered, but in my heart, I'd be a king. Your love is all that ever mattered - it's everything" suggests that the singer has not lost hope, and clings to the belief that love can triumph over material success. The singer is declaring that love is the true measure of wealth, and having it would make him feel like a king, regardless of his material situation. The song's refrain is a recurring plea to the lover to take the singer on, even if he appears to be at his lowest ebb.

Line by Line Meaning

I know I'd go from rags to riches
If you say you care, I'd feel like I have everything.

If you would only say you care
Your love is all I need to feel rich.

And though my pocket may be empty
Even if I don't have material wealth, your love is worth more than anything.

I'd be a millionaire
The feeling of love is worth more than any amount of money.

My clothes may still be torn and tattered
Even if I don't have much, I know I have your love and that makes me feel like royalty.

But in my heart I'd be a king
Your love is everything to me and is the one thing that truly matters.

Your love is all that ever mattered
Your love is the key to unlocking all the riches in my life.

So open your arms and you'll open the door
By embracing me and giving me your love, you'll unlock all the treasures in my life that I've been hoping for.

To every treasure that I'm hopin' for
Your love is the key to unlocking all the riches and happiness I've been hoping for.

Hold me and kiss me and tell me you're mine ever more
By holding me, kissing me, and declaring your love for me, I will feel like the richest person in the world.

Must I forever be a beggar
Without your love, I feel like I have nothing.

Whose golden dreams will not come true
Without your love, my dreams will always be out of reach.

Or will I go from rags to riches
With your love, I know I can transform my life from one of struggle to one of abundance.

My fate is up to you
Ultimately, my happiness and success in life depend on your love and care for me.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jerry Ross, Richard Adler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@royaljrh2

That recording is really something! Spectacular.

@perpetual61

10y↑1

I always think of Laverne & Shirley's Carmine " The BIG Ragoo " Ragusa whenever I hear Rags to Riches because he was singing it. Great song sung by the one & only Tony Bennett. R.I.P. Eddie Mekka born June 14, 1951 died November 27, 2021 at 69.