What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life
Scott Walker Lyrics


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I want to see your face in every kind of light
In fields of dawn and forests of the night
And when you stand before the candles on a cake
Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make

What are you doing the rest of your life?
North and South and East and West of your life
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me

All the seasons and the times of your days
All the nickels and the dimes of your days
Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days
All begin and end with me

I want to see your face in every kind of light
In the fields of dawn and the forests of the night
And when you stand before the candles on a cake
Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make

Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
In the world of love that you keep in your eyes
I'll awaken what's asleep in your eyes
It may take a kiss or two

Through all of my life
Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall of my life




All I ever will recall of my life
Is all of my life with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Scott Walker's song "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" convey a deep sense of love and longing. The singer expresses their desire to be a part of every moment in their lover's life, to witness their joys and sorrows, and to be their confidant in all aspects of life. The mention of seeing their face in every kind of light suggests a desire for intimate connection and understanding. The mention of the candles on a cake implies a celebration of life and a desire to be present for the silent wishes made by the lover.


The chorus asks the question "What are you doing the rest of your life?" as a plea to spend all of their time together. The use of geographical directions such as North, South, East, and West implies a desire for their love to encompass everywhere their lover goes. The singer emphasizes that they have only one request, which is for their lover to spend their life with them.


The second verse continues to emphasize the singer's longing to be a part of their lover's life, to be there through all the seasons and times, and to be the reason and rhyme for their days. The reiteration of wanting to see their face in every kind of light reinforces the idea of wanting to intimately know and understand their lover. The mention of tomorrows waiting deep in their lover's eyes suggests a hope for a long future together, awakening what has been dormant in their lover's eyes through love and affection.


Overall, the lyrics of the song speak to a deep emotional connection and a desire for a lifelong commitment and love.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to see your face in every kind of light
I desire to witness your countenance in various lighting conditions, symbolizing my wish to know and understand every aspect of your being.


In fields of dawn and forests of the night
I yearn to experience your presence both during the gentle morning hours and amidst the mysterious darkness, signifying my commitment to be with you at all times.


And when you stand before the candles on a cake
During moments of celebration when you face the flickering candles on a cake, I want to be the privileged listener to the unspoken desires and aspirations you hold within.


Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make
Grant me the honor of being the sole recipient of the whispered wishes that escape your lips, allowing me to be intimately acquainted with your deepest longing.


What are you doing the rest of your life?
Tell me, my beloved, how do you plan to spend the entirety of your existence, sharing your joys, sorrows, triumphs, and challenges by my side?


North and South and East and West of your life
Irrespective of the directions life takes you, whether towards the North, South, East, or West, I entreat you to include me in every facet of your journey.


I have only one request of your life
Asking for just a single favor throughout your entire life, I implore you to dedicate every moment to our togetherness, cherishing our connection above all.


That you spend it all with me
My fervent plea is for you to invest your entire lifespan in my company, sharing the highs and lows, building a shared existence that surpasses all other experiences.


All the seasons and the times of your days
From the arrival of spring to the chilling grasp of winter, encompassing each passing phase and period, I wish to be an integral part of your daily life.


All the nickels and the dimes of your days
Even in the insignificant moments represented by the humblest coins, the small joys and challenges that accompany your daily routine, I want to be present and intertwined with you.


Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days
May the motivations and poetic rhythms that orchestrate the trajectory of your existence, truly meaningful and profound, revolve solely around our partnership.


All begin and end with me
To have our relationship as the exclusive origin and destination of all your endeavors and aspirations is my ultimate desire and vision.


Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
The future possibilities that lie hidden within the depths of your mesmerizing gaze are filled with hope and anticipation, representing the unwritten chapters of our shared journey.


In the world of love that you keep in your eyes
Within the realm of affection and adoration that you guard within your eyes resides a profound devotion that binds us together, shaping our love story.


I'll awaken what's asleep in your eyes
Like a gentle touch, I will stir the dormant emotions and love that slumber within your eyes, unveiling a renewed passion that moves our souls.


It may take a kiss or two
Perhaps all it requires is a couple of tender kisses shared between us, bringing forth the latent affection and connecting us on a profound level.


Through all of my life
Throughout the entirety of my existence, from the first breath to the last, no matter the joys or hardships, you shall remain an indispensable part of my being.


Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall of my life
From the vibrant warmth of summer to the frigid cold of winter, as well as the rejuvenation of spring and the reflection of fall, together we shall traverse the ever-changing seasons of life.


All I ever will recall of my life
When reminiscing upon the memories of my life, every recollection, every significant moment, every triumph and defeat, will be intertwined with our shared journey.


Is all of my life with you
For it is in your embrace, in the tender bond we share, that my purpose finds meaning, and my life becomes whole.




Lyrics © ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP
Written by: ALAN BERGMAN, MARILYN BERGMAN, MICHEL LEGRAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Roberto Mercado

What are you doing the rest of your life?
North and South and East and West of your life
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me

All the seasons and the times of your days
All the nickels and the dimes of your days
Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days
All begin and end with me

I want to see your face in every kind of light
In the fields of dawn and the forests of the night
And when you stand before the candles on a cake
Oh, let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make

Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
In the world of love that you keep in your eyes
I'll awaken what's asleep in your eyes
It may take a kiss or two

Through all of my life
Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall of my life
All I ever will recall of my life
Is all of my life with you



geminiwednesday16

What am I doing the rest of my life???....well,I won't be into extreme sports,I won't be travelling the World...I won't be striving to be a super-model or famous film star...(I wish??!)....I won't be on the Moon...I will simply be me,as I always have ever been..........yet,thankfully I have blessed to have been in a special time.....
This gorgeous song can fulfill  daydreams enough; a beautiful voice with a song to give joy a wistful melancholy....just moments in time that are beautiful can mean more may yet be ahead,in the "rest of your life"..

.it doesn't need to take a lot to bring a lovely smile to someone's heart.This beautiful song,this beautiful voice from my youthful era can still do that.  Filled with romantic,gentle passion..a desire for the loved one...wanting to be involved in that certain person's future for the "rest of your life"...


  How todays' generations are so sadly losing out on all that can be emotionally special...yet they truly cannot see it.   The internet has seen to that,unfortunately.
   Ah,well...that is progress.............?  K xx
  



All comments from YouTube:

rebecca whitney

Scott passed away two years ago today, March 22, 2019. Will miss you forever beautiful man, sing in Heaven to all those with you. Please save a song for me. RIP.

Helena Stokes

I absolutely love this song specially sung by the lovely Scott walker.💔💔
R.i.p. beautiful man.💔💔.

John Anthony

No man in popular music has ever touched his class and high quality. Scott was way out there the very best. So glad he made his home in UK. Meet you on the ledge Scott.

p m

I cannot believe he did this song! What a great song and now by him! Couldn't ask for anything better! I need to go buy this. Thanks for posting!

david weston

Or you could just download it, since you've generated enough Ad revenue by listening to it here to pay the heirs of Walker's empire and YT, and guidofski too.

Randall Sundeen

Probably one of the most prolific love songs ever music from the late sixties early seventies has always been in my opinion the most creative periods Stereo sound was new orchestras were still plentiful and creative lyrics flowed from mid century poets!

Wendy MacKenzie

The best ever rendition of one of the most beautiful songs ever written. I weep every time I hear it.

patrick ryan

I love this song by many artists and this rendition is certainly no exception -- I'm amazed! 12/2018

peter torode

best version ever what a voice ...sadly missed

wellandtruly joshed

Beautiful man beautiful voice ❤️ RIP Scott 💔 I will continue to listen to your outstanding sounds for the rest of my life😢👏

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