The important people in his life often show up in Wainwright's songs. He's written tunes influenced by his semi-famous parents Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, and also about his daughter Viva, who is the subject of the Out Of The Game track "Montauk ."
Song Of You
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't want to do it, I didn't want to do it
You made me love you
And all the time you knew it, I guess you always knew it
You made me happy sometimes, you made me glad
But most of the time, dear, you made me feel so bad
You made me sigh, 'cause
I need some love it's true, yes I do, 'deed I do, you know I do
I can't tell you what I'm feeling
The very mention of your name sends my heart reeling
You know you made me love you
The bells are ringing for me and my gal
The birds are singing for me and my gal
"Sing it with me, please!"
Everybody's been knowing to a wedding they're going
And for weeks they've been sewing, every Susie and Sal
They're congregating for me and my gal
The parson's waiting for me and my gal
And when they build a little home to two
Or three or four or more
In Loveland, for me and my gal
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
Zing, zing, zing went my heart strings
From the moment I saw him, I fell
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
Thump, thump, thump went my heart strings
When he smiled, you could feel the car shake
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name, I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
Stop, stop went my heart strings
As he started to leave, I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
And as if it was planned, he stayed on with me
And it was grand just to stand with his hand holding mine
To the end of the line
The opening lines of Rufus Wainwright's Song Of You is a cover of the classic song "You Made Me Love You" written by James V. Monaco and Joseph McCarthy. The first verse conveys a sense of unwanted love that gradually intensified over time due to the other person's knowledge of their power and control over the singer. However, despite feeling bad most of the time, the other person occasionally made them happy. In the second verse, the lyrics shift towards a more upbeat and romantic mood with the mention of bells ringing, birds singing, and everyone congregating for a wedding. The singer describes falling in love at first sight, with their heartstrings buzzing and thumping with excitement. The rest of the song is about the singer's encounter on a trolley with someone they felt an immediate connection and chemistry with. They were scared and unable to speak but managed to hold the other person's sleeve, and they end up staying together until the end of the line, which was grand.
The song is a testament to Rufus Wainwright's ability to capture both the highs and lows of love in his music. He takes the listener on a journey through various emotions, from feelings of sadness and despair to those of elation and joy. The song's powerful lyrics are brought to life by Wainwright's unique and haunting voice, making it one of his most popular and beloved tracks.
Line by Line Meaning
You made me love you
Against my will, you caused me to have feelings of affection towards you
I didn't want to do it, I didn't want to do it
I was reluctant to allow myself to fall in love with you
And all the time you knew it, I guess you always knew it
You were aware of the fact that I loved you, even if I didn't admit it
You made me happy sometimes, you made me glad
Occasionally, you brought me joy and contentment
But most of the time, dear, you made me feel so bad
However, most of the time you caused me emotional pain and distress
You made me sigh, 'cause
You were the reason behind my frequent sighing
I didn't want to tell you, I didn't want to tell you
I was hesitant to express my love for you
I need some love it's true, yes I do, 'deed I do, you know I do
I am aware that I crave your affection and love
I can't tell you what I'm feeling
I am unable to articulate my emotions
The very mention of your name sends my heart reeling
The mere mention of your name causes my heart to beat faster
You know you made me love you
You are aware that your actions led me to fall in love with you
The bells are ringing for me and my gal
The bells symbolize the joy and celebration of love and marriage
The birds are singing for me and my gal
The birds' melody is a testament to the happiness of the moment
"Sing it with me, please!"
The singer encourages others to join in the celebration
Everybody's been knowing to a wedding they're going
Word has spread about the wedding and many guests are attending
And for weeks they've been sewing, every Susie and Sal
Preparations for the wedding have been underway for several weeks
They're congregating for me and my gal
Those gathered came for the celebration of the couple's love
The parson's waiting for me and my gal
The wedding ceremony is ready to commence
And when they build a little home to two
After the wedding, the couple intends to build a home for two
Or three or four or more
They may eventually start a family with children
In Loveland, for me and my gal
The couple envisions a happy future together in Loveland
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
The sound of the trolley represents the excitement and anticipation of love
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
The bell adds to the joy and celebration of the moment
Zing, zing, zing went my heart strings
The singer's heart is overflowing with emotions upon meeting someone special
From the moment I saw him, I fell
The singer fell in love at first sight
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
The motor symbolizes the forward motion and excitement of falling in love
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
The sudden brake represents the mixed emotions and uncertainty of love
Thump, thump, thump went my heart strings
The singer's heart beats quickly in response to the one they love
When he smiled, you could feel the car shake
The singer is so moved by the object of their affection that they feel the car shake
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
The man displays chivalry by tipping his hat and taking a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
The man is worried about accidentally causing harm or offense
He asked my name, I held my breath
The singer is captivated by the man's attention and feels a sense of anticipation
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
The intensity of her emotions is overwhelming her, causing her to feel frightened
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
The buzzer represents the sense of urgency and anticipation of love
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
The wheels represent the forward motion of the relationship
Stop, stop went my heart strings
The singer's heart stops momentarily at the thought of losing the person she loves
As he started to leave, I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
The singer is not ready to let go and shows reluctance to part ways
And as if it was planned, he stayed on with me
Fate seems to intervene, causing him to stay with her
And it was grand just to stand with his hand holding mine
The singer feels immense happiness and contentment being with the one she loves
To the end of the line
The singer is committed to staying with the person she loves forever
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joseph Mccarthy, James Monaco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pablo Sturba
After listening this track and, specially this álbum, I´m sure Rufus is the best pop and melodic singer of this century. That A (note) is still vibrating in my chest. Amazing music!
Catalina Busla
Total agree!
Carole Brammer
His voice is like liquid gold.
Lizbetl Chàvez De la O
Es impresionante la capacidad vocal de Rufus Wainwright, definitivamente uno de los pocos grandes cantautores de este siglo!
Me encanta su capacidad vocal e interpretación.❤
veronique herve
So moving from 3.04 till the end ! This vibrato ! OUF ! I am flying !! Hours later Rufus still singing in my head ! Where is the off button ?
Lisa L.
every note breaks my heart and the next mends it... in beauty
Mariella Kennedy
I’m so thankful to the person who introduced me to Rufus, he is just exquisite!!!
claudette mousseau
Amazing singer and songwriter. I can listen to this wonderful song all day long!!!!
Catalina Busla
Amazing voice! Gorgeous Rufus!
Catalina Busla
Meraviglioso! Unico! Irripetibile! Adorabile Rufus! Ti ascolto all' infinito! Vorrei che tu avessi tanto successo anche in Italia! Sei il migliore in assoluto