Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
All of You
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There′s a big romantic deal I've got to wangle.
For I′ve fallen for a certain lovely lass,
And it's not a passing fancy or a fancy pass.
I love the looks of you, the lure of you
The sweet of you, the pure of you
The eyes, the arms, the mouth of you
I'd love to gain complete control of you
And handle even the heart and soul of you
So love at least a small percent of me do
For I love all of you
I′d love to gain complete control of you
And handle even the heart and soul of you
So love at least a small percent of me do
For I love all of you
The lyrics of Sammy Davis Jr.'s song "All of You" convey the deep affection and desire the singer feels for a certain woman. He begins by describing how captivated he is by her, having watched her appeal from every angle. This suggests that he has taken the time to truly observe and appreciate her in every possible way. The use of the word "wangle" indicates that he intends to negotiate or manipulate a romantic relationship with her.
The singer emphasizes that his feelings for this woman are not fleeting or superficial, but rather a genuine and lasting adoration. He expresses his love for every aspect of her being, from her physical features such as her looks, eyes, arms, and mouth, to her inner qualities like her sweetness and purity. The repetition of the directions (east, west, north, and south) suggests that his love encompasses her from every direction, highlighting the all-encompassing nature of his affection.
The singer pleads to gain complete control over her, suggesting a desire for a deep emotional connection. He wants to handle not only her physical being, but also her heart and soul, indicating a longing for a profound emotional bond. The repetition of the phrase "love at least a small percent of me do" portrays his vulnerability and the need for reciprocation from the woman. He yearns for her to love him even if it's just a small amount, emphasizing that he wants her to acknowledge and appreciate his love for her.
Overall, the lyrics of "All of You" convey a deep and genuine love, with the singer expressing his desire to have a meaningful relationship with this woman, encompassing both physical and emotional aspects.
Line by Line Meaning
After watching her appeal from every angle,
After observing her attractiveness from all perspectives,
There′s a big romantic deal I've got to wangle.
There is a significant romantic endeavor that I must maneuver.
For I′ve fallen for a certain lovely lass,
Because I have deeply fallen in love with a particular beautiful woman,
And it's not a passing fancy or a fancy pass.
And it is not a fleeting infatuation or a superficial encounter.
I love the looks of you, the lure of you
I adore your physical appearance, the irresistible charm you possess
The sweet of you, the pure of you
Your sweetness and purity touch my heart
The eyes, the arms, the mouth of you
Your eyes, embrace, and your kiss captivate me
The east, west, north, and the south of you
Every aspect of you, from all directions
I'd love to gain complete control of you
I desire to have absolute influence over you
And handle even the heart and soul of you
To even emotionally and spiritually guide and cherish you
So love at least a small percent of me do
Therefore, please reciprocate with even a fraction of your love towards me
For I love all of you
Because I genuinely love every part of who you are
I′d love to gain complete control of you
I desire to have absolute influence over you
And handle even the heart and soul of you
To even emotionally and spiritually guide and cherish you
So love at least a small percent of me do
Therefore, please reciprocate with even a fraction of your love towards me
For I love all of you
Because I genuinely love every part of who you are
Writer(s): Cole Porter
Contributed by Eli L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@williammatthews2390
Brings back wonderful memories of being a bachelor in the 1950s.
@robertchamberlain7202
1955 and 1956 were great years for songs and broadway musicals
@lucillematthews4421
Ah Yes the Magic 50's What a time it was. Thanks for the memories.
@krochelle2619
What a voice...
@RanBlakePiano
So wonderful
@marakaretsos5204
🎶🎶🎶⭐️⭐️⭐️
@Mrsecurity2013
They just don’t make music like this anymore.
@1qstudios
You know you have Michael buble