The Shape of Things to Come
Ralph and Ben Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'd work for you, I'd even slave for you
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)
Until the real thing comes along

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)

Overall Meaning

In "The Shape of Things to Come," Ralph and Ben explore themes of love, sacrifice, and longing through a playful yet earnest lens. The opening lines reveal a profound willingness to endure hardships and sacrifices for the sake of love. The singer declares their dedication, saying they would "work," "slave," or even take on a less savory role, such as being a "beggar or a knave." This demonstrates a strong yearning for connection, where the singer equates their actions with profound love, while the acknowledgment that "if that isn't love, it'll have to do" suggests they are settling for something that feels less than ideal. The singer's comfort with compromise elevates their emotional honesty, signaling a deep devotion intertwined with an acute awareness that this may not be the pinnacle of what love can offer.


The second verse reinforces the sentiment of devotion, as the singer emphasizes their readiness to go to great lengths to showcase their love. The imagery of moving the Earth symbolizes an almost mythical level of commitment, effectively emphasizing how far they would go to demonstrate their feelings. The repeated phrase "if that isn't love, it will have to do" signifies a longing for a more profound experience but also hints at resignation to the idea that this expression, albeit imperfect, is the best they can offer at the moment. This creates an interesting tension between idealism in love and the reality of the arising circumstances, suggesting that while they desire something grander, they are fully present in their current emotional state.


The third stanza introduces a sense of struggle in communication, as the singer expresses frustration in conveying their feelings. Despite having "all the words" at their disposal, they feel unable to make their loved one fully understand their emotions. This encapsulates a universal challenge many face in relationships, emphasizing how love can often be complex and difficult to articulate. The line "I'll always love you, darling, come what may," serves as a declaration of unwavering commitment, reinforcing the notion that true love is steadfast, irrespective of external factors or misunderstandings. There is a layered introspection here, where the singer navigates their deep-seated affection while grappling with the efficacy of their delivery.


In the final verse, the imagery escalates to a cosmic scale, as the singer is willing to "tear the stars down from the skies" for their beloved. This hyperbolic expression highlights the lengths they are willing to go, further emphasizing the depth of their feelings. The repeated refrain about love being conditional until "the real thing comes along" reflects a hopeful yearning for a love that transcends their current state. It's as if the singer is caught in a cycle—infusing each line with powerful emotion, but simultaneously longing for a more fulfilling connection. The song ultimately encapsulates a bittersweet blend of devotion, sacrifice, and the quest for a deeper, more meaningful love, maintaining a hopeful outlook for the possibility of future fulfillment.


Line by Line Meaning

I'd work for you, I'd even slave for you
I would dedicate myself completely to your needs, putting in immense effort and sacrifice on your behalf.


I'd be a beggar or a knave for you (Whatever that is)
I would lower myself to the most desperate or morally questionable state just to maintain your affection.


And if that isn't love, it'll have to do
If these actions do not qualify as true love, then I will settle for this mere imitation until something genuine comes along.


Until the real thing comes along
I will hold on to this version of love until I experience a deeper, more authentic connection.


I'd gladly move the Earth for you
I would go to extraordinary lengths and make tremendous sacrifices to demonstrate my love for you.


To prove my love, dear, and its worth for you
My actions are driven by a desire to show you how valuable my love is and how much you mean to me.


If that isn't love, it will have to do (Gotta do)
If these efforts don't count as true love, I will make do with this version for now.


Until the real thing comes along
I will wait for a more genuine love experience that may come in the future.


With all the words, dear, at my command
Despite having a vast vocabulary and expressing my feelings, I can't quite convey my depth of love to you.


I just can't make you understand
No matter how hard I try, my feelings seem to elude your comprehension.


I'll always love you, darling, come what may
My love for you is unwavering and will persist regardless of any challenges we might face.


My heart is yours, what more can I say?
I have given you my entire heart, and words fail to express the extent of my love.


(You want me to rob a bank? Well I won't do it)
While I'm willing to put a lot on the line for you, there are some morally wrong actions I refuse to undertake.


I'd sigh for you, yes,
I would express my longing for you, conveying the emotional weight of my affection.


I'd even cry for you, yes
My emotions run deep enough that they could bring me to tears when I think of you and our connection.


I'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
My devotion is so profound that I would go to impossibly extreme lengths to prove my love.


If that isn't love, well skip it, it'll have to do
If such fervent devotion doesn't qualify as true love, then I will accept this state of affection as sufficient.


Until the real thing comes along
I will patiently await a more authentic and fulfilling expression of love in the future.


Listen baby
I need your attention as I express the depth of my feelings for you.


I'd even sigh for you, I'm 'bout ready to cry for you
I feel a powerful emotional pull towards you, strong enough to induce both sighs of longing and tears of affection.


I'd tear the stars down from the skies for you
I would undertake monumental sacrifices to seek your joy and demonstrate my unwavering commitment.


If that isn't love, it'll have to do, baby, yes
If these actions don't define true love, then they will have to suffice for now, my dear.


Until the real thing comes along
I will remain hopeful for a more genuine love experience that may develop in time.


(Here's the real thing, baby)
This moment signifies my genuine intentions, implying that what I've expressed represents my true deep love for you.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GERALD MARKS, SEYMOUR SIMONS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@cjnav7832

Well of course.

Aren't all movies?

Can't you see the pattern?

All the movie directors and actors and film company owners, are all Masons

They make movies according to the plans that they are going to carry out

It's not anything mysterious

It's called, planned programming;)



All comments from YouTube:

@user-io3th6lo9t

"We need to put an end to war before it puts an end to us". Those words always stuck with me and will always ring true.

@flashgordon6670

Well if it puts an end to us, the end of war will come thereafter.

@alessandroricci7294

It is true, today, with nato country fast losing the hold they had on the Third World, and also for the destruction capabilities we have today, it is more true than ever.

@jayluce1650

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." 🤔
-- Albert Einstein

@user-io3th6lo9t

@@jayluce1650 that is if there's anyone left to fight it.

@andrewrustad6922

Wars been going on since Cain killed Abel, it won't end as long as there's two people, war will rage on. The price of sin is death, the price of war is greed.

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@itisonlyadream

I've seen this extraordinary film countless times over the course of my 80 plus years, but I had to take the time to watch this particular YouTube video, because this is by far the cleanest, sharpest print of this film I've ever seen. Every frame of this film is a feast for the eyes. I have the colorized version of this film on a Blu-ray disk and it appears to have been made from a print with more scratches and imperfections than this print. I recently, bought a high quality projector, and seeing this beautiful print of the film on a screen as large as the image would have appeared in a theater was an amazing experience. I felt like I had time traveled back to 1936 and was watching the film when it premiered in a London theater. There are only a few minor imperfections in the image here and there...... very few considering the age of the film. With very little restoration, using modern digital techniques, the picture quality would be as perfect as it was when the film was first shown, maybe even better.

@chipsramek3868

Pray Tell ...how does one improve on Perfect...remember it's a goal Not a destination ! :)-

@BostLabs

Sir, I salute you. 63 here and have been a fan of H.G. Wells for most of my life.

@seigneurjesuistoipshaw.5359

Rite-on my fellow being! 👁🫵🏼😇🙏❤️

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