According to the Slow Songfacts, Sarah spent the early years of her life in Pakistan,having been born in Islamabad on 3rd June 1979, where her father was the chief-engineer of the enormous Tarbela Dam, 30 miles to the northwest of Islamabad. The youngest of seven children, living in an expat colony without TV or newspapers, Rumer and her family would often sing and write songs together. Her brother Rob gave Rumer her first guitar; which she taught herself to play, and on which, years later, she wrote all the songs on her debut album, Seasons of My Soul.
The singer/songwriter spent her teenage years in Carlisle at Newman School before leaving at 16 to pursue her ambition. It has been a hard slog but years later she is finally hitting the big time and gradually becoming a household name. She now hopes her success will inspire other young people to follow their dreams.
Having had her single listed ahead of its release on both Radio 2 and Magic FM, she is also preparing to support Jools Holland on his UK tour this autumn – the finale being a show at the Albert Hall.
She also has a celebrity fan in the form of easy listening legend Burt Bacharach, who invited her to sing for him when she visited California.
Alfie
Rumer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a Heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love, we just exist
Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing, Alfie
When you walk, let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day
The song Alfie by Rumer is a heartfelt conversation with the titular character, questioning the very meaning of life. The singer starts off by asking Alfie what it's all about- is life just about living in the present moment, or is there more to it? The singer then wonders whether we are meant to take more than we give, or if kindness is truly the way to go. These are existential questions that everyone grapples with at some point in their lives- what is our purpose, if any?
As the song progresses, the singer seems to become more cynical about life. They say that if only fools are kind, then it might be wise to be cruel- a dark sentiment indeed. The singer questions whether the strong wind up with all the power and regard life as a game that only they can win. This is where the golden rule comes into play- if you don't treat others as you want to be treated yourself, then what's the point of living?
But even amidst all this doubt and uncertainty, the singer has one unwavering belief- that there is something more to this life than just the physical realm. They say that even non-believers can believe in this intangible thing, and they call that something love. Without love, life is nothing more than mere existence. The singer advises Alfie to always let his heart guide him, and to keep looking until he finds that love that he's missed.
Overall, the message of the song seems to be that life is a constant search for meaning and purpose, and even though we may experience doubt and heartbreak along the way, there is one thing that makes it all worth it- love.
Line by Line Meaning
What's it all about, Alfie?
Alfie, what is the real meaning of life?
Is it just for the moment we live?
Do we live just for the fleeting moments in life?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
What is it really about when you take the time to reflect, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Is it our purpose to always be taking or should we also give back?
Or are we meant to be kind?
Or perhaps our purpose is simply to be kind to others?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
If being kind is seen as foolish, Alfie
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
Perhaps it is seen as wise to be cruel instead?
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
If life only belongs to those who are strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
What will you do with the old adage of treating others how you would like to be treated?
As sure as I believe there's a Heaven above, Alfie
Alfie, I am confident that there is a Heaven above us all.
I know there's something much more
But I also know there is something beyond that as well.
Something even non-believers can believe in
Something that even those who do not believe can still have faith in.
I believe in love, Alfie
Personally, I have faith in the power of love, Alfie.
Without true love, we just exist
Without experiencing true love, we are simply going through the motions of existing.
Until you find the love you've missed
But once you find that love you've been searching for,
You're nothing, Alfie
You will realize that everything else in life was meaningless before you found that love, Alfie.
When you walk, let your heart lead the way
So when you're on your journey through life, allow your heart to guide you, Alfie.
And you'll find love any day
I have faith that you will find that love you've been missing, Alfie. It's just a matter of time.
Writer(s): Sonny Rollins, Hal David, Burt Bacharach Copyright: Famous Music LLC, Ensign Music
Contributed by Carson N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Roberto Lavin
Lyrics:
What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
Then i guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
Something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing,
Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie
Marc Antoni
Here we are in this journey that never ends (2022)... thank you Burt and David for this song. Amazing version. Regards from Brazil.
Lucky60sKid
WOW!!! I absolutely love Rumer - she is one classy lady. Was fortunate enough to see her sing live at the CD launch in Rough Trade East - she was amazing! In my opinion, on this track she eclipses both Dionne and our Cilla. I hope she goes on to record all the classic love songs. I will buy any album she makes.
Max Yordan
Marvelous rendition of this beautiful song love it sooo much!!!
John Bird
Bravo...there are only a handful of people who can actually sing Bacharach well....she's one of them. This works so well on so many levels.
werewolf71
Watching her is like watching a bird fly or a fish swim. She's doing what she was created to do! Simply amazing!
Simon Banks
I hope Karen doesn't haunt you for the remainder of you life.
Pegge Merkling
love this song you absolutely did it justice ❣️❣️❣️
Sarah Barr Martin
I am in love with this woman's voice. So pure, clean. No screeching like some of today's female vocalists. Karen Carpenter, Maureen McGovern, Dusty Springfield...reminiscent of them but yet all her own.
張敏敏
This soft and silky voice accompany with me for years, no matter when I am working, traveling or in a bad mood, this voice always melt my heart. More songs I hear, more astonishing feeling I have. Rumer she sings from heart, and soul.
Jacques Mersereau
One of, if not the finest rendition. Rumer has the soul.