A Lot of Livin' to Do
Sammy Davis Jr Lyrics

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I thought I'd found the girl of my dreams,
Now it seems,
This is how the story ends:
She's gonna turn me down and say,
"can't we be friends? "
I thought for once it couldn't go wrong,
Not for long,
I can see the way this ends:

She's gonna turn me down and say,
"can't we be friends? "
Why should I care though she gave me the air,
Why should I cry,
Heave a sigh,
And wonder why,
And wonder why?
I thought I found the gal I could trust,
Watta bust, this is how the story ends:

She's gonna turn me down and say,
"can't we be just friends? "

Overall Meaning

In Sammy Davis Jr.'s song "A Lot Of Livin' To Do," the lyrics describe the experience of falling for someone and then being rejected. The singer had thought that he had found the girl of his dreams, but she ultimately decides that they can only be friends. The repetition of the phrase "can't we be friends?" emphasizes the hurt and disappointment that the singer feels.

Despite his disappointment, the singer tries to move on and rationalize the situation. He questions why he should care if she gave him the air and wonders why he should cry or heave a sigh. This shows that he is trying to convince himself that he doesn't care as much as he actually does. The last stanza reveals that the singer had trusted this girl, but she still turned him down. He recognizes that the relationship is over and that they can only be friends.

Overall, this song captures the struggles of unrequited love and the pain of being friend-zoned. The lyrics are relatable and highlight the vulnerability that comes with opening up to someone emotionally.

Line by Line Meaning

I thought I'd found the girl of my dreams,
At one point I believed I had discovered the perfect partner for myself,

Now it seems, This is how the story ends:
Unfortunately, it appears that my search has come to a disappointing conclusion:

She's gonna turn me down and say, "can't we be friends? "
She will likely reject me and propose that we become friends instead of romantic partners.

I thought for once it couldn't go wrong, Not for long,
I had sincere optimism that everything would work out, but that sentiment was short-lived.

I can see the way this ends:
It's obvious to me how this will ultimately play out:

She's gonna turn me down and say, "can't we be friends? "
She will probably decline my advance and request that we simply remain friends.

Why should I care though she gave me the air,
Despite her rejection, it makes little sense for me to be bothered or upset:

Why should I cry, Heave a sigh, And wonder why, And wonder why?
Tears, sighs, and confusion are unnecessary and unproductive responses in this situation.

I thought I found the gal I could trust,
I was convinced that I had met a woman who was reliable and dependable,

Whatta bust, this is how the story ends:
But it turned out that I was mistaken, and the final outcome of our interactions is disappointing.

She's gonna turn me down and say, "can't we be just friends? "
In the end, she will decline the idea of a romantic relationship and suggest that we only maintain a platonic friendship.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: FRANK BJORN, JACK HARLEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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