The Ames Brothers were a singing quartet from Malden, Massachusetts, who we… Read Full Bio ↴The Ames Brothers were a singing quartet from Malden, Massachusetts, who were particularly famous in the 1950s for their traditional pop music hits.

The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).

Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.

The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.

A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.

Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.

Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).

They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.

No One but You
The Ames Brothers Lyrics

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Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
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,

All I can spend is just my time.

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.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "You You You" by The Ames Brothers & The Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra are about a man who is struggling financially but remains optimistic about his future. He talks about how tough it is to be broke and how his luck has gotten worse. However, he remains hopeful that someday he will win and reach his prime. For now, all he can give his loved one is his time and his love. Despite not being able to provide material possessions or wealth, he assures her that they will find happiness together by dreaming and scheming.

The lyrics convey a message of perseverance and hope, even in times of financial hardship. The man promises to wait for his loved one and will always adore her, even if he cannot provide her with everything she desires. The line "I can't give you anything but love, baby. That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby" sums up the message of the song perfectly. Love may not be tangible, but it is a valuable and priceless commodity that can bring happiness and fulfillment.

Line by Line Meaning

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being poor is hard, child.

It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
Being poor is not a laughing matter, child. It's a misfortune.

My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
Things are not getting any better. It seems that my luck has gone from bad to worse.

Who knows, some day I will win too. I'll begin to reach my prime.
Maybe someday I'll be successful too. I'll start to achieve my goals.

Now though I see what our end is, All I can spend is just my time.
I can see where we're headed now. I can only afford to invest my time.

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
I don't have much to offer you except for my love, darling.

That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby.
Love is the one thing I have in abundance, honey.

Dream awhile, scheme awhile We're sure to find Happiness and I guess All those things you've always pined for.
Let's fantasize and plan together. We'll find joy and all the things you've always desired.

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Wow, I'd love to see you looking great with diamond bracelets that can't be found at Woolworth's.

Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby. I can't give you anything but love.
Until that fortunate day arrives, you are well aware, darling, that all I can offer is love.

Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
They say it takes time to accomplish great things, child.

You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
You have to work hard and sacrifice to achieve success, child.

But I am willing to wait, dear, Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
But I am willing to be patient, my dear. I will always remember that you are my beloved partner.

You have a lifetime before you. I'll adore you, come what may.
You have your entire life ahead of you, and I will always love you, no matter what happens.

Please don't be blue for the present, When it's so pleasant to hear you say
Don't feel sad about the present moment, especially when it's so wonderful to hear you speak.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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