I Can't Give You Anything but Love
Southern Jazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from
simply rotten to something worse
Who knows, some day I will win too.
I'll begin to reach my prime.
Now though I see what our end is,
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.
Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
But I am willing to wait, dear,
Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
You have a lifetime before you.
I'll adore you, come what may.
Please don't be blue for the present,
When it's so pleasant to hear you say
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.
In the song "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," Southern Jazz expresses the difficult reality of being broke and unable to give material possessions to a loved one. The song opens with the singer acknowledging the struggle of being broke, describing it as a curse rather than a joke. The singer's luck is worsening, leading to a feeling of hopelessness. Despite this, the singer maintains a sense of optimism that things will improve, and that they will eventually be able to provide for their partner beyond just love.
The second verse acknowledges that the partner has a lifetime ahead of them and that the singer is willing to wait until they can provide more. The line "Rome wasn't built in a day" emphasizes the idea that good things take time. The chorus returns with the repeated sentiment that the singer can only offer love at the moment but hopes to one day be able to provide more. The bridge encourages the partner to dream and scheme as they will eventually find happiness and all the things they have always wanted.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of both the struggles and the hopefulness that comes with being in a financially difficult situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being poor is difficult and not something to joke about.
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
Poverty is not a laughing matter, it's a terrible fate.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
Things are going from bad to worse for me lately.
Who knows, some day I will win too.
Maybe someday I too will be lucky and successful.
I'll begin to reach my prime.
I'll start to reach my peak or the best time of my life.
Now though I see what our end is, All I can spend is just my time.
I realize what our future holds, and all I can offer you now is my time.
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
I don't have much to offer, except for my love.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Love is the one thing that I have in abundance, despite my poverty.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile, We're sure to find happiness and I guess all those things you've always pined for.
Let's dream and make plans together, and we'll eventually find happiness and all the things you've always wanted.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
I would love to see you looking beautiful and confident, my dear.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I may not be able to buy you expensive things like diamond bracelets, but I still love you.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
Until fortune smiles on us, you know very well that I can't give you anything but love.
Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
Great things take time and effort to build, my child.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
You need to work hard and pay your dues to achieve your goals.
But I am willing to wait, dear, Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
I'm willing to be patient and wait for our luck to turn around, and I'll always remember our love.
You have a lifetime before you. I'll adore you, come what may.
You have your whole life ahead of you, and I'll love and cherish you no matter what happens.
Please don't be blue for the present, When it's so pleasant to hear you say
Don't be sad about our current situation, I find joy in hearing you speak.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind