The Things I Didn't Do
Perry Como [feat. Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra] Lyrics


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I never said I loved you as I should have done
I never told you darling you're the only one
Will I do on regretting now my whole life through
The things I didn't do?

I never held my arms around you long enough
I never dared to make my kisses strong enough
Will I do on regretting now my whole life through
The things I didn't do?

I was too much afraid, afraid to get burned
In a one way romance!
So now I'm alone, too late I have learned
I never gave love a chance!

But if there is an answer to my every prayer
If you can find within your heart that you still care
I'll gladly spend my life just makin' up to you
The things I didn't do!

I never gave love a chance!
But if there is an answer to my every prayer
If you can find within your heart that you still care





I'll gladly spend my life just makin' up to you
The things, the things I didn't do!

Overall Meaning

In this song, Perry Como expresses his regret for not doing things he should have done for his loved one. He never told her that he loved her enough, never held her tight enough, and never took the chance to love her fully. He was afraid of being hurt in a one-way romance and now regrets his decision. He hopes that his loved one still cares and that he can spend the rest of his life making up for the things he didn't do.


Line by Line Meaning

I never said I loved you as I should have done
I failed to express my love fully and sincerely.


I never told you darling you're the only one
I neglected to communicate to you that you hold a special place in my heart above all others.


Will I do on regretting now my whole life through The things I didn't do?
Will I continue to feel regret for the rest of my life for not taking action in our relationship?


I never held my arms around you long enough
I failed to physically embrace you for an adequate period of time to convey my affection.


I never dared to make my kisses strong enough
I shied away from giving passionate, meaningful kisses that reflected my feelings.


I was too much afraid, afraid to get burned In a one way romance!
I was too fearful of getting hurt in a one-sided relationship.


So now I'm alone, too late I have learned I never gave love a chance!
Now that I'm alone, I realize I never opened myself up to the risk and reward of love.


But if there is an answer to my every prayer If you can find within your heart that you still care
If my prayers are answered and you still hold feelings for me in your heart,


I'll gladly spend my life just makin' up to you The things I didn't do!
I'll devote my life to making up for all the ways I failed to show you how much I care.


I never gave love a chance!
I never gave myself, or you, the opportunity to experience love fully.


But if there is an answer to my every prayer If you can find within your heart that you still care
If my prayers are answered and you still hold feelings for me in your heart,


I'll gladly spend my life just makin' up to you The things, the things I didn't do!
I'll do anything and everything to make up for all the ways I failed to show you love and affection.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FRED JAY, IRA KOSLOFF, IRVING REID

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@dougr.2398

I didn’t like this song when I was six or seven..... now that I understand it and like it, it’s far too late for these sentiments to matter (mostly) I’m now 70 and this song title just happened to pop into my head today for no perceptible or apparent reason. I’m glad it did.

@SpectreGR

Les Paul & Mary Ford did a very smooth version too

@fromthesidelines

Recorded on August 31, 1954.

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