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.
Love Me Or Leave Me
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't stand uncertainly
Tell me now I've got to know
Whether you want me to stay or to go
Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won't believe me, I love you only
Then happy with someone else
You might find the night time
The right time for kissin'
But night time is my time
For just reminiscin'
Regrettin' instead of forgettin'
With somebody else
There'll be no one
Unless that someone is you
I intend to be independently blue
I want your love
But I don't want to borrow
To have it today to give it back tomorrow
For your love is my love
There's no love for nobody else
The lyrics of Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Love Me or Leave Me" is a plea for clarity in a tumultuous relationship. The singer is unsure of their partner's intentions and asks them to make a decision whether to love them or leave them. The first two lines, "This affair is killin' me, I can't stand uncertainly," establish the song's overall mood of desperation and longing. He implores his partner to be truthful with him, asking them to let him know whether they want him to stay or go.
The chorus of "Love Me or Leave Me" is a repeating request for his partner to make up their mind. The singer expresses his devotion, "You won't believe me, I love you only," and unwillingness to settle for anyone else, "I'd rather be lonely than happy with someone else." The final lines of the chorus are a summation of the singer's feelings about the situation.
The second verse of "Love Me or Leave Me" reveals more about the singer's specific circumstances within the relationship. He and his partner seem to have different schedules, as she likes to kiss at night while he prefers to reminisce. The line, "Regrettin' instead of forgettin' with somebody else," hints that while the singer may be alone, he is not necessarily lonely. He concludes that he wants love, but not just for the sake of having it. The final two lines once again assert his devotion to his partner and his unwillingness to settle for anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
This affair is killin' me
I cannot bear uncertainty anymore
I can't stand uncertainly
My heart cannot take the unknown
Tell me now I've got to know
Please put me out of my misery
Whether you want me to stay or to go
Let me know if you want me to move forward or away
Love me or leave me
Choose me or let me go
Or let me be lonely
I would rather be alone than a second choice
You won't believe me, I love you only
My love for you is sincere, I need you to see that
I'd rather be lonely
I am rejecting you before you reject me
Then happy with someone else
I cannot bear the thought of being with another person
You might find the night time
Perhaps you enjoy these private moments
The right time for kissin'
And find them romantic enough to hold and maybe kiss me.
But night time is my time
But nighttime is when I start to think
For just reminiscin'
And remember our moments together
Regrettin' instead of forgettin'
But it also feels like I am mourning what could have been
With somebody else
With someone who is not you
There'll be no one
I do not want anybody else.
Unless that someone is you
I am holding out for you
I intend to be independently blue
I am determined to go it alone if necessary
I want your love
But this fight is worth it if I can have your love.
But I don't want to borrow
I refuse to be a fleeting fancy
To have it today to give it back tomorrow
Only to be disposed of when I am no longer convenient
For your love is my love
My love is for you and no one else will ever have it
There's no love for nobody else
I am hung up on you and only you
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ACUM Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yd8390
Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won't believe me
But I love you only
I'd rather be lonely, then happy with somebody else
You might find the night time
The right time for kissing
But night time is my time
For just reminiscing
Regretting instead of forgetting with somebody else
Now there be no one unless that someone is
You, You, You
I intend to be independently
Blue, Blue, Blue
I want your love
But I don't want to borrow
Have it today
Give back tomorrow
More love, for my love, its your love or nobody else
Now there be no one unless that someone is
You, You, You
'Cause I intend to be independently
Blue, Blue, Blue
@royhepper6215
This mans voice is timeless......i have been listening to him sing since i was 10 years old and i am now nearing my 74th birthday. Luv yer Sam!
@tankjohnson5857
SHUT UP YA SAP 😠 😡
@tankjohnson5857
U OLD GEEZER SHUT UP
@treseancann1261
@@tankjohnson5857 Why don't you piss off!
@treseancann1261
@@tankjohnson5857 Why don't you piss off!
@voicegirl555
Gone 28 years! Still the best! Miss you Sam!!!!
@tankjohnson5857
BILLY BARTY IZZ DA DA BEST ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIME BAR NONE, DUMMY!
@catman916
Sammy was a wonderful singer.
@yd8390
Love me or leave me
Or let me be lonely
You won't believe me
But I love you only
I'd rather be lonely, then happy with somebody else
You might find the night time
The right time for kissing
But night time is my time
For just reminiscing
Regretting instead of forgetting with somebody else
Now there be no one unless that someone is
You, You, You
I intend to be independently
Blue, Blue, Blue
I want your love
But I don't want to borrow
Have it today
Give back tomorrow
More love, for my love, its your love or nobody else
Now there be no one unless that someone is
You, You, You
'Cause I intend to be independently
Blue, Blue, Blue
@iconaclastor
a rare song that is under played. Love it