Until the Real Thing Comes Along
Pha Terrell Lyrics
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I'd be a beggar or a knave for you (Whatever that is)
And if that isn't love, it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along
I'd gladly move the Earth for you
To prove my love, dear, and its worth for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do (Gotta do)
With all the words, dear, at my command
I just can't make you understand
I'll always love you, darling, come what may
My heart is yours, what more can I say?
(You want me to rob a bank? Well I won't do it)
I'd sigh for you, yes,
I'd even cry for you, yes
I'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
If that isn't love, well skip it, it'll have to do
Until the real thing comes along
Listen baby
I'd even sigh for you, I'm 'bout ready to cry for you
I'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
If that isn't love, it'll have to do, baby, yes
Until the real thing comes along
(Here's the real thing, baby)
In the song "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," Pha Terrell expresses his undying and unconditional love for someone special. He says that he would work tirelessly, slave, beg, or even become a knave (an unprincipled person) for his beloved. He would do anything and everything to prove his love, including moving the Earth and tearing down the stars from the sky. Pha is willing to make all these efforts because he believes that he has found true love with her. However, he realizes that these gestures are not enough as the "real thing" has not yet come along. Despite his many words of love, he feels that he has failed to make her understand his true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd work for you, I'd even slave for you
I am willing to do any kind of work or be at your service all the time
I'd be a beggar or a knave for you (Whatever that is)
I am even willing to do disreputable or illegal things to be with you
And if that isn't love, it'll have to do
Even if this isn't romantic love, I am content to remain devoted to you
I'd gladly move the Earth for you
I am willing to go to any extreme lengths to show my love to you
To prove my love, dear, and its worth for you
I want to demonstrate the value of the love I have for you
If that isn't love, it will have to do (Gotta do)
Even if this isn't an ideal situation, I am content with it because of my feelings for you
With all the words, dear, at my command
I have every word available to me to express my feelings for you
I just can't make you understand
Despite having all the words, I can't seem to convey the depth of my love for you
I'll always love you, darling, come what may
No matter what happens, I will always love you
My heart is yours, what more can I say?
My love for you is pure and all-encompassing, and I am willing to give you everything I have
(You want me to rob a bank? Well I won't do it)
I draw the line at illegal activities, but I am willing to do anything legal for you
I'd sigh for you, yes,
I am so in love with you that even my breath is devoted to sighing for you
I'd even cry for you, yes
The depth of my love for you is so great that even my tears are devoted to you
I'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
I am willing to do anything, even the impossible, for you
If that isn't love, well skip it, it'll have to do
If this level of devotion and love isn't romantic love, then I will settle for whatever it is
Listen baby
I want you to hear me out, my love
I'd even sigh for you, I'm 'bout ready to cry for you
My sighs and tears are at your disposal because of my unwavering love for you
If that isn't love, it'll have to do, baby, yes
Even if this isn't conventional romantic love, I will accept it because of my love for you
(Here's the real thing, baby)
But now, with you in my life, I have found true love
Lyrics © IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: GERALD MARKS, SEYMOUR SIMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kim-Lien Chavez
This has to be one of the earliest and sweetest versions of the song.
Bernard Frederick
I love his singing voice!
Yasmin Zimnowodzki
This is just beautiful. And sums up love beautifully.
OmniverSiddhi AlterDestiny
I am so happy to have found your channel !!!
Jonathan Pearl
Despite the high voice, Pha Terrell was a tough guy, had been a nightclub bouncer.
Irene Mccann
Best version.
Thomas .Hennessey
Up to this record, Kirk like most Black bands of this era had been limited to hot mostly up-tempo numbers. From the success of this record on, they were the only Black band where half of their output was soft slow ballad vocals most by Terrell.
Trombonology Erstwhile
Well, this version, which put the great Kirk orchestra on the map, has always been my favorite. Metronome writer, George T. Simon, famously referred to our earnest (and ill-fated) warbler as "Pha Terrible," but I've always loved his voice and the apparent sincerity that he brought to all his work. Maybe he over-used the concluding high note a bit too much but, hey, I'm sure he was encouraged to after striking gold with it here. Pha (pronounced Fay ) was very much admired by Ellington vocalist, Al Hibbler. I love Mary Lou Williams' simple eight bar intro, Ted Robinson's discreet guitar rhythm and that beautiful sixteen bars from the reeds after Pha's full chorus.
Daniel Weinstein
There is an earlier version, with a complicated full ensemble intro, that apparently sold so well that they had to re-record it for a new master. Mary Lou's arrangement, I believe.
Trombonology Erstwhile
@Daniel Weinstein Right! -- with drummer Ben Thigpen on the vocal. That take has a charm of its own.