exactly like you
The Benny Goodman Quartet Lyrics

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I used to have a perfect sweetheart
Not a real one, just a dream
A wonderful vision of us as a team
Can you imagine how I feel now
Love is real now, it's ideal
You're just what I wanted
And now it's nice to live
Paradise to live

I know why I've waited
Know why I've been blue
Prayed each night for someone
Exactly like you

Why should we spend money
On a show or two
No one does those love scenes
Exactly like you

You make me feel so grand
I want to hand the world to you
I hope you'll understand
Each foolish little scheme I'm schemin'
And dream I'm dreamin'

Now I know why mother
Taught me to be true

She meant me for someone
Exactly like you

Overall Meaning

In the Benny Goodman Quartet's song "Exactly Like You," the singer reflects on a past where they had an idealized vision of a perfect partner. However, this vision was nothing but a dream until they found the real thing. The lyrics express how love has become tangible, and that the person found is just what they wanted, bringing them happiness and a sense of paradise.

The song continues, explaining how it is clear why they have waited for this person and what they have been missing without them. There is no need for expensive romantic gestures or shows because having this person is already perfect. The chorus states how the person makes the singer feel grand and wants to hand over the world to them. They hope that the person will understand all of their little schemes and dreams because they are meant for someone "exactly like you." The lyrics imply that the singer's mother taught them the value of being true to themselves, and now they have found the person they are meant to be with.

Line by Line Meaning

I used to have a perfect sweetheart
I had an imaginary significant other, not a real one

Not a real one, just a dream
It was just a figment of my imagination, not a tangible person

A wonderful vision of us as a team
I had a pleasant picture in my mind of how it would be if we were together

Can you imagine how I feel now
It's hard to believe that my dream has come true and I'm actually in love now

Love is real now, it's ideal
My fantasy has turned into something real and perfect

You're just what I wanted
You are everything I ever wanted in a partner

And now it's nice to live
Life is better and more enjoyable now that I'm with you

Paradise to live
This is like living in paradise now

I know why I've waited
I understand why I had to wait for you

Know why I've been blue
I know why I was sad and felt unfulfilled before meeting you

Prayed each night for someone
Every night I wished and hoped for someone special like you

Exactly like you
A person that embodies all the qualities and characteristics that you possess

Why should we spend money
There's no need to go out and spend money on fancy dates or events

On a show or two
We don't need to see shows or watch movies to entertain ourselves

No one does those love scenes
No actors or performers can recreate the kind of love we have for each other

You make me feel so grand
When I'm with you, I feel wonderful and important

I want to hand the world to you
I would do anything to give you happiness and success

I hope you'll understand
I trust that you will comprehend my intentions and feelings towards you

Each foolish little scheme I'm schemin'
Sometimes I come up with silly ideas, but they're all geared towards making you happy

And dream I'm dreamin'
And sometimes I have dreams about our future together

Now I know why mother
I now understand why my mother taught me certain values and ways of life

Taught me to be true
She wanted me to remain genuine and honest in all my relationships

She meant me for someone
She knew that I was destined for a special person in life

Exactly like you
And that person is you, with all your unique and extraordinary qualities

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy Mchugh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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