All or Nothing
Ronnie Lane; Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
The song All or Nothing is a plea from Ronnie Lane to his lover to commit fully to their relationship. He is asking her to listen to his reason and see that they either go all in or not at all. Lane feels that he needs the other half of her to make things work out as he wants them to. He is being truthful with her and asking her not to just sit there and cry, but to make a decision. He emphasizes that they are not children and they need to take their relationship seriously. Lane reiterates that itβs all or nothing, and itβs his way of saying that he wants her fully committed to their relationship.
The song's chorus, "All or nothing," is a memorable one, and the unique sound effects of the pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta in the background add to the song's appeal. It was a hit for The Small Faces in 1966, with Ronnie Lane being a member of that band. The song has a catchy beat and is an excellent example of British Invasion rock. The song's lyrics are relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship where the commitment levels of the partners are not matched.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought you'd listen to my reason
I believed you would understand my explanation
But now I see you don't hear a thing
But now I realize you're not even listening to me
Got to make you see how it's got to be
I have to clarify what needs to happen
Yes if it's all right
Yes, only if it's okay with you
All or nothing yeah yeah
Either everything or nothing, yes, yes
All or nothing
I can't settle for anything less than everything
All or nothing for me
That's the only way I'll accept it, for myself
Things could work out just like I want them to
It's possible to have everything go the way I desire
If I could have the other half of you
Only if I could have all of you, nothing less
That's all I would if I only could
That's all I could ask for, if it were a possibility
Is to say
All I would have to say
All or nothing oh yeah
Everything or nothing, oh yes
All or nothing if I could I'd say
If it were possible, I'd insist on everything
All or nothing for me
Nothing less, only everything for my part
Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta
Musical interlude
I ain't telling you no lie girl
I'm being honest and straightforward with you, girl
So don't just sit there and cry girl
So, don't look at me with sorrowful eyes
All or nothing (oh no)
I will not accept anything less
All or nothing (oh yeah)
Only everything will do
All or nothing (gotta gotta gotta keep on tryin')
I won't stop trying until I get everything
All or nothing
No other option, either everything or nothing
(For me, for me, for me we're not children)
(For me, we are not children, for me)
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Philip James Rice, Richard Guard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevinbird9194
There are no words to describe just how good this band were and how fantastic they still sound now.
@TAllyn-qr3io
βHow good the band βwasβ vs. were π and all this time I thought UFO wrote this songβ¦doh π
@jamielogan5057
i watched the documentary about them how their manager ripped them off then they left him for another manager who ripped them off. they also wasnt given much musical freedom until later on in their career. they was also persuaded not to tour america they could have achieved far more had they had the right backing
@kevinbird9194
@Jamie Logan I know they were ripped off. The great rock and roll swindle. Howeverβ¦they were just the best. I would ride my scooter that was fully liveried and would be singing at the top of my voice any song by the small faces.
@jamielogan5057
@Kevin Bird I was born in the late 70s but got into the faces about 20 years after listening to itchy coo park which had a unique sound even by today's standards the hollow drum sound which probably would have been difficult to create then but this is my favourite song of theirs followed by tin soldier
@jean-louisberlatier3433
You're so true Kevin Bird
@rainstein3680
Steve Marriott was an earth- shatteringly amazing artist!! He was outstanding in Small Faces and Humble Pie as well!! RIP STEVE
@fionabookie2781
Still is - compared to the second-rate stuff around now
@themancaveclub
Yeah, he was amazing for sure. He died too young, only 44. It seems he had some demons he was dealing with.
@williamstclaire809
One of the greatest bands of their day, however, very underrated, yet so talented.